Active bending section and endoscope

Abstract

The application discloses an active bending section and an endoscope, and relates to the technical field of medical devices. The active bending section comprises a plurality of unit segments connected in sequence. The unit segment has a first side and a second side opposite to each other. Two adjacent unit segments can deflect towards the first side. The unit segment comprises a main body and two support parts. One of the two support parts is arranged on the first side of the main body, and the other is arranged on the second side of the main body. An installation groove for accommodating a device tube is formed between the two support parts. In the case that the two adjacent unit segments deflect towards the first side, one of the two support parts can be deformed in a direction away from the other under the action of the device tube. The scheme can solve the problem that the device tube in the active bending section of the insertion part is prone to collapse.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of medical devices, and in particular to an active bending section and an endoscope. BACKGROUND

[0002] An endoscope is a commonly used medical device that can directly enter the natural ducts of the human body for examination, and can provide sufficient diagnostic information for doctors to treat diseases. The endoscope includes an insertion portion that can enter the human body through the body cavity or a surgical bypass.

[0003] In related technologies, an instrument tube is arranged in the insertion portion. The instrument tube extends through the insertion portion along the extension direction of the insertion portion. The insertion portion includes an active bending section and a passive bending section. In related technologies, the active bending section will cause the instrument tube to deform and bend during bending, which will cause the instrument tube to collapse in some places, reduce the inner diameter of the instrument tube, and thus reduce the smoothness of the instrument passing through the instrument tube. SUMMARY

[0004] The present application discloses an active bending section and an endoscope to solve the problem of collapse of the instrument tube in the active bending section of the insertion portion in related technologies.

[0005] To solve the above problems, the technical scheme adopted by the present application is as follows:

[0006] In a first aspect, the present application provides an active bending section. The active bending section can be applied to an endoscope. The endoscope includes an instrument tube. The active bending section includes a plurality of unit segments connected in sequence. The unit segment has a first side and a second side opposite to each other. Two adjacent unit segments can be deflected towards the first side. The unit segment includes a main body portion and two support portions. One of the two support portions is arranged on the first side of the main body portion. The other support portion is arranged on the second side of the main body portion, and the two support portions form a mounting groove for accommodating the instrument tube. In the case where the two adjacent unit segments are deflected towards the first side, one of the two support portions can be deformed away from the other support portion under the action of the instrument tube.

[0007] The technical scheme adopted by the present application can achieve the following beneficial effects:

[0008] In the above embodiment, the two support portions of the unit segment are arranged at two sides of the body portion, and a mounting groove for mounting the instrument channel is formed between the two support portions. In this way, the two support portions can limit the instrument channel, so that the instrument channel can bend along with the snake mechanism. During the bending process, the instrument channel interacts with the two support portions, and the support portions can be deformed under the action of the instrument channel so that the distance between the two support portions increases, thereby beneficially increasing the bending radius of the instrument channel and thereby beneficially preventing the instrument channel from collapsing. In addition, since the support portions can be deformed along with the deformation of the instrument channel, thereby beneficially reducing the force between the end of the instrument channel and the extension direction of the unit segment, thereby beneficially preventing the instrument channel from collapsing.

[0009] In a second aspect, the present application provides an endoscope. The endoscope has the same technical features as the active bending segment described above and can achieve the same technical effects, which will not be described here. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0010] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application or the prior art, the drawings needed to be used in the embodiments or prior art description will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings in the following description are only some embodiments of the present application, and other drawings can also be obtained by those skilled in the art without creative labor.

[0011] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the active bending segment after the instrument channel is mounted according to some optional embodiments of the present application Figure 1 ;

[0012] Figure 2 is a top view of Figure 1 ;

[0013] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the active bending segment after the instrument channel is mounted according to some optional embodiments of the present application Figure 2 ;

[0014] Figure 4 is a top view of Figure 3 ;

[0015] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of the active bending segment after the instrument channel is mounted according to some optional embodiments of the present application Figure 3 ;

[0016] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of the active bending segment after the instrument channel is mounted according to some optional embodiments of the present application Figure 4 ;

[0017] Figure 7Figure 1 is a schematic view of a device tube mounted in a passive bending section according to some embodiments of the present application Figure 5 ;

[0018] Figure 8 Figure 2 is a top view of a passive bending section according to some embodiments of the present application Figure 1 ;

[0019] Figure 9 Figure 3 is a top view of a passive bending section according to some embodiments of the present application Figure 2 ;

[0020] Figure 10 Figure 4 is a schematic view of a bending section after bending according to the related art.

[0021] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0022] 10 - section; 20 - device tube; 21 - collapsed portion; 30 - traction cord; 100 - unit section; 110 - main body portion; 111 - connecting sub-portion; 120 - support portion; 121 - support sub-portion; 122 - support surface; 101 - mounting groove; 102 - avoidance gap; 103 - recess; 104 - mounting hole; 130 - stop portion; 200 - device tube. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] In order to make the objects, technical solutions, and advantages of the present application clearer, the technical solutions of the present application will be described in detail below. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some of the embodiments of the present application, but not all the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present application, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative work fall within the scope of protection of the present application.

[0024] The terms "first", "second", and the like in the specification and claims of the present application are used to distinguish similar objects, and are not used to describe a specific order or sequence. It should be understood that the data used in this way can be exchanged under appropriate circumstances, so that the embodiments of the present application can be implemented in an order other than that illustrated or described herein, and the objects distinguished by "first", "second", etc. are generally a category, not limited to the number of objects, for example, the first object can be one or more. In addition, "and / or" in the specification and claims indicates at least one of the connected objects, and the character " / ", generally indicates that the front and rear associated objects are in an "or" relationship.

[0025] In the related art, for example, Figure 10As shown, the active bending section of the insertion part includes multiple sequentially connected segments 10. Each segment has a mounting hole for mounting the instrument tube 20. In order to maximize the instrument passage, the outer wall of the instrument tube 20 in the related art fits against the inner wall of the mounting hole of the active bending section. However, during the bending process of the active bending section pulled by the traction rope 30, the bending deformation of the instrument tube 20 is mainly concentrated in the part between two segments, which reduces the local bending radius of the instrument tube 20, making the instrument tube 20 prone to collapse and forming a collapsed part 21. Since the collapsed part 21 is recessed into the lumen of the instrument tube 20, the internal space of the instrument tube 20 is reduced, which is not conducive to the passage of instruments or media.

[0026] To address the aforementioned problems, this application provides an active bending section and an endoscope. In this active bending section, two support portions are spaced apart, forming a mounting groove between the two support portions to accommodate the instrument tube. The width of the mounting groove between the two support portions can increase under the compression of the instrument tube. Thus, during the bending process of the active bending section, the bending deformation of the instrument tube can extend into the unit segment, thereby increasing the bending radius of the instrument tube and avoiding localized stress concentration. Therefore, this active bending section effectively solves the problem of instrument tube collapse.

[0027] The following is in conjunction with the appendix Figures 1 to 9 The active bending segment and endoscope provided in this application are described in detail through specific embodiments and application scenarios.

[0028] Firstly, this application provides an actively bending segment. This actively bending segment can be used in an endoscope. The endoscope includes an instrument tube 200. Exemplarily, the instrument tube 200 is disposed at an insertion portion so that an instrument can enter the body along the instrument tube 200. Of course, in some embodiments, the instrument tube 200 can also be used as a suction channel. Specifically, this application does not limit the specific use of the instrument tube 200.

[0029] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 3 The active bending segment includes multiple sequentially connected unit segments 100. Each unit segment 100 has a first side and a second side facing away from each other, and two adjacent unit segments 100 can be deflected relative to each other towards the first side. For example, two adjacent unit segments 100 are rotatably connected so that they can rotate relative to each other, thereby achieving bending of the active bending segment.

[0030] In some alternative embodiments, two adjacent unit segments 100 can be connected by, but not limited to, a shaft hinge. For example, the active bending section can be a one-piece injection molding structure, and two adjacent unit segments 100 are connected by a flexible connecting sub 111, so that two adjacent unit segments 100 can be relatively deflected by deforming the flexible connecting sub 111.

[0031] With reference to Figure 1 and Figure 2 , the unit segment 100 includes a main body 110 and two support portions 120. With reference to Figure 2 and Figure 3 , the two support portions 120 are spaced apart on the main body 110. For example, one of the two support portions 120 is disposed on a first side of the main body 110, and the other is disposed on a second side of the main body 110. For example, the two support portions 120 form a mounting groove 101 for accommodating the instrument tube 200 therebetween. Specifically, in the case of using the active bending section for an endoscope, the instrument tube 200 is mounted in the mounting groove 101.

[0032] In the case of deflection of two adjacent unit segments 100 to the first side, one of the two support portions 120 can deform away from the other under the action of the instrument tube 200.

[0033] The two support portions 120 form a mounting groove 101 therebetween, i.e., one end of the support portion 120 away from the main body 110 is a free end, and thus the support portion 120 can deform adaptively when it is pressed by the instrument tube 200, so as to reduce the pressing force of the support portion 120 on the instrument tube 200. In addition, the support portion 120 deforms adaptively with the bending of the instrument tube 200, so that the groove width of the mounting groove 101 between the two support portions 120 increases, thereby benefiting the provision of a wider bending deformation space for the instrument tube 200. Therefore, the active bending section provided in this embodiment is beneficial to increase the bending radius of the bending portion of the instrument tube 200, which can effectively prevent the instrument tube 200 from collapsing during bending, and avoid the local reduction of the lumen in the instrument tube 200, so as to facilitate the passage of the instrument.

[0034] In the case of the active bending section being in a straight state, i.e., in the case of no bending of the active bending section, the instrument tube 200 and the support portion 120 both restore deformation. In this way, the two support portions 120 can support the instrument tube 200, thereby benefiting the compactness of the assembly between the active bending section and the instrument tube 200. Therefore, in the case of using the active bending section for an endoscope, it is not only beneficial to obtain a larger channel for the passage of instruments and / or media, but also beneficial to improve the smoothness of the passage of the instrument through the bending portion of the instrument channel.

[0035] In some alternative embodiments, the main body 110 comprises a connecting sub 111. For example, two adjacent unit segments 100 are connected by the connecting sub 111. Referring to Figure 7 In some alternative embodiments, the connecting sub 111 is a protrusion at the end of the main body 110 in the extension direction. For example, the active bending section is integrally injection molded. Two connected unit segments 100 are deflected by elastic deformation of the connecting sub 111, thereby bending the active bending section.

[0036] According to some alternative embodiments, as shown in Figure 5 At least part of the support 120 comprises at least two support subs 121 distributed on one side of the unit segment 100 in the extension direction. The two adjacent support subs 121 are independently arranged. Specifically, the two adjacent support subs 121 can independently deform relative to each other under the action of the instrument tube 200, that is, the deformation of one of the two adjacent support subs 121 will not affect the deformation of the other.

[0037] In the above embodiments, the two support subs 121 do not interact with each other, thereby allowing the two support subs 121 to independently deform with the bending of the instrument tube 200 to better adapt to the deformation of the instrument tube 200. The active bending section is beneficial to further enabling the part of the instrument tube 200 located in the mounting groove 101 to better adaptively bend the active bending section, increasing the bending radius of the curved part of the instrument tube 200. Therefore, the active bending section provided by the above embodiments can better prevent the instrument tube 200 from collapsing and improve the consistency of the lumen size of the instrument tube 200 at all places to facilitate the passage of instruments or media through the curved part of the instrument tube 200.

[0038] According to some alternative embodiments, the two adjacent unit segments 100 can be deflected to the first side or the second side. For example, the first side and the second side of the main body 110 are provided with mounting holes 104. For example, the endoscope comprises a traction cord. The mounting holes 104 can be used to mount the traction cord. For example, the first side and the second side of the main body 110 are provided with traction cords to pull the active bending section to the first side and / or the second side by the traction cords. Specifically, the active bending section can be bent to the first side by pulling the traction cord of the first side of the main body 110. The active bending section can be bent to the second side by pulling the traction cord of the second side of the main body 110.

[0039] According to some alternative embodiments, as shown in Figure 5 and Figure 6As shown, the support portion 120 has an avoiding gap 102 between two adjacent support sub-portions 121. The avoiding gap 102 can be, but is not limited to, a slit between two adjacent support sub-portions 121. The avoiding gap 102 can avoid the interference between two adjacent support sub-portions 121, and thus can improve the deformation independence between two adjacent support sub-portions 121.

[0040] In some optional embodiments, in the same support portion 120, the rigidity of the support sub-portion 121 adjacent to the end of the extension direction of the unit segment 100 is less than the rigidity of the support sub-portion 121 adjacent to the middle of the extension direction of the unit segment 100. For example, in two adjacent support sub-portions 121 of the same support portion 120, the rigidity of the support sub-portion 121 adjacent to one of the ends of the extension direction of the unit segment 100 is a first rigidity, the rigidity of the support sub-portion 121 adjacent to one of the middle of the extension direction of the unit segment 100 is a second rigidity, and the first rigidity is less than the second rigidity. In this way, the bending resistance of the two ends of the support portion 120 adjacent to the extension direction of the unit segment 100 is poor, and thus can reduce the extrusion force of the part of the support portion 120 adjacent to the two ends of the extension direction of the unit segment 100 on the instrument tube 200, and thus can prevent the instrument tube 200 from collapsing. The bending resistance of the part of the support portion 120 in the middle of the extension direction of the unit segment 100 is strong, and thus can provide sufficient support force for the instrument tube 200, so that the instrument tube 200 can better bend along the active bending section.

[0041] In some optional embodiments, in two adjacent support sub-portions 121 of the same support portion 120, the thickness of the support sub-portion 121 adjacent to the end of the extension direction of the unit segment 100 is a first thickness, and the thickness of the support sub-portion 121 adjacent to the middle of the extension direction of the unit segment 100 is a second thickness. The first thickness is less than the second thickness, so that the rigidity of the support sub-portion 121 adjacent to the end of the extension direction of the unit segment 100 is less than the rigidity of the support sub-portion 121 adjacent to the middle of the extension direction of the unit segment 100.

[0042] In some optional embodiments, in two adjacent support sub-portions 121 of the same support portion 120, the width of the support sub-portion 121 adjacent to the end of the extension direction of the unit segment 100 is a first width, and the width of the support sub-portion 121 adjacent to the middle of the extension direction of the unit segment 100 is a second width. The first width is less than the second width, so that the rigidity of the support sub-portion 121 adjacent to the end of the extension direction of the unit segment 100 is less than the rigidity of the support sub-portion 121 adjacent to the middle of the extension direction of the unit segment 100.

[0043] Of course, in some alternative embodiments, the support sub-section 121 at each position can also be made of materials with different rigidity, such that the rigidity of the support sub-section 121 at the end portion adjacent to the extension direction of the unit segment 100 is less than the rigidity of the support sub-section 121 at the middle portion adjacent to the extension direction of the unit segment 100. In addition, the rigidity of the support sub-section 121 at the end portion adjacent to the extension direction of the unit segment 100 can also be reduced by providing a groove on the support sub-section 121 at the end portion adjacent to the extension direction of the unit segment 100, such that the rigidity of the support sub-section 121 at the end portion adjacent to the extension direction of the unit segment 100 is less than the rigidity of the support sub-section 121 at the middle portion adjacent to the extension direction of the unit segment 100.

[0044] In some alternative embodiments, the thickness of the support portion 120 at the portions adjacent to the two ends of the extension direction of the unit segment 100 is a first thickness. The thickness of the support portion 120 at the portion adjacent to the middle of the extension direction of the unit segment 100 is a second thickness. The second thickness is greater than the first thickness. For example, the thickness of the support portion 120 gradually increases and then gradually decreases along the extension direction of the unit segment 100. In this way, the portions of the support portion 120 adjacent to the two ends of the extension direction of the unit segment 100 can have a lower bending resistance, which is beneficial for reducing the extrusion force of the portions of the support portion 120 adjacent to the two ends of the extension direction of the unit segment 100 on the instrument tube 200, and is further beneficial for preventing the instrument tube 200 from collapsing. In some alternative embodiments, the portion of the support portion 120 at the middle of the extension direction of the unit segment 100 has a stronger bending resistance, which can provide sufficient support to the instrument tube 200 to enable the instrument tube 200 to bend better along with the active bending section.

[0045] According to some alternative embodiments, Figures 1 to 6 The slot width of the mounting slot 101 of at least part of the unit segment 100 is less than the diameter of the instrument tube 200. In some alternative embodiments, the slot width of the mounting slot 101 of the unit segment 100 adjacent to the distal end of the active bending section is less than the diameter of the instrument tube 200, so as to improve the restraint of the unit segment 100 on the instrument tube 200.

[0046] In some alternative embodiments, the slot width of the mounting slot 101 of each unit segment 100 is less than the diameter of the instrument tube 200. In this way, the active bending section can limit the instrument tube 200 in the mounting slot 101 by the support portion 120, which is beneficial for improving the compactness of the assembly of the instrument tube 200 and the active bending section. In addition, it is also beneficial for the instrument tube 200 to deform along with the active bending section.

[0047] In some alternative embodiments, the slot width of the mounting slot 101 of the partial unit segment 100 is greater than or equal to the diameter of the instrument tube 200. For example, the slot width of the mounting slot 101 is greater than or equal to the diameter of the instrument tube 200 is a first mounting slot. The slot width of the mounting slot 101 is less than the diameter of the instrument tube 200 is a second mounting slot. The first mounting slot and the second mounting slot can be arranged alternately along the extension direction of the active bending segment.

[0048] In some alternative embodiments, the number of the first mounting slot and the second mounting slot can be arranged according to the maximum bending angle of the active bending segment. For example, the more the number of the second mounting slot corresponding to the part of the active bending segment with the larger maximum bending angle. The more the number of the first mounting slot corresponding to the part of the active bending segment with the smaller maximum bending angle. This is beneficial to improve the support of the instrument tube by the part of the active bending segment with the larger maximum bending angle.

[0049] Referring to Figure 8 and Figure 9 In some alternative embodiments, the opposite side of the two support portions 120 in the unit segment 100 is a support surface 122. For example, one of the two support portions 120 in the unit segment 100 is a first support portion, and the other is a second support portion. The side of the first support portion adjacent to the second support portion is the support surface 122. The side of the second support portion adjacent to the first support portion is the support surface 122.

[0050] Referring to Figure 8 In some alternative embodiments, the support surface 122 is a concave surface. For example, the support surface 122 is adapted to the outer sidewall of the instrument tube 200. In the case that the instrument tube 200 is located in the mounting slot 101, the support surface 122 abuts against the outer sidewall of the instrument tube 200, so that the support portion 120 can provide support for the instrument tube 200. Referring to Figure 8 or Figure 9 In some alternative embodiments, in the case that the instrument tube 200 is located in the mounting slot 101, the support surface 122 abuts against the outer sidewall of the instrument tube 200, which is beneficial to improve the compactness of the assembly of the active bending segment and the instrument tube 200, increase the lumen of the instrument tube 200, and provide support for the instrument tube 200 by the active bending segment, so as to facilitate the deformation of the instrument tube 200 along with the bending of the active bending segment. In addition, during the transportation of the instrument along the instrument tube 200, the support portion 120 can provide support for the outer peripheral wall of the instrument tube 200, thereby reducing the deformation of the instrument tube 200 caused by the abutment of the instrument, and improving the smoothness of the instrument passing through the instrument tube 200.

[0051] In some alternative embodiments, the thickness of the support portion 120 on the side adjacent to the main body portion 110 is less than the thickness of other portions along the outer periphery of the instrument tube 200. Thus, during bending deformation of the instrument tube 200, the deformation of the side of the support portion 120 away from the main body portion 110 is less than the deformation of the side of the support portion 120 adjacent to the main body portion 110, which helps ensure that the support portion 120 fits snugly against the instrument tube 200 and that the support portion 120 can continuously fit against the outer wall of the instrument tube 200.

[0052] In some optional embodiments, the side of the main body 110 connected to the support 120 forms the bottom of the mounting groove 101. Exemplarily, the bottom of the mounting groove 101 is concave. The bottom of the mounting groove 101 is smoothly connected to the support surface 122. Exemplarily, both the support surface 122 and the bottom of the mounting groove 101 are configured to abut against the outer wall of the instrument tube 200, which helps to increase the inner diameter of the instrument tube 200, providing more space for instrument or media transmission. Exemplarily, the mounting groove 101 is an arc-shaped groove. When the active bending section is in a straight state, i.e., when the active bending section does not undergo bending deformation, the mounting groove 101 abuts against the outer wall of the instrument tube 200.

[0053] In some optional embodiments, the cross-sectional shape of the support 120 perpendicular to the extending direction of the unit segment 100 is arc-shaped. For example, the extending direction of the unit segment 100 can be... Figure 5 The direction indicated by the y-axis. (Refer to...) Figure 2 and Figure 4 When the instrument tube 200 is located in the mounting groove 101, the outer peripheral wall of the instrument tube 200 is tangent to the outer peripheral wall of the support portion 120. In some alternative embodiments, the thickness of the support portion 120 is equal along the curvature direction of the support portion 120.

[0054] In the above embodiments, the outer peripheral wall of the instrument tube 200 is tangent to the outer peripheral wall of the support portion 120. This allows for increasing the diameter of the instrument tube 200 while maintaining a fixed active bending section, thus accommodating larger instruments. Alternatively, the active bending section provided in this embodiment can be reduced while maintaining a fixed diameter of the instrument tube 200, thereby reducing the outer diameter of the endoscope insertion portion and allowing the endoscope insertion portion to enter narrower cavities.

[0055] As an optional embodiment, the active bending segment provided in this application is a one-piece injection molded structure. Using one-piece injection molding to form the active bending segment provided in this application helps reduce the manufacturing difficulty and production cost of the active bending segment.

[0056] In some alternative embodiments, the recess 103 is arranged at the joint between the body part 110 and the support part 120. For example, the recess 103 can be arranged at the side of the support part 120 adjacent to the support surface 122. In another example, the recess 103 can be arranged at the side of the support part 120 away from the support surface 122. For example, the recess 103 can be arranged at the side of the support part 120 away from the support surface 122. Figure 7 and Figure 8 In some alternative embodiments, the recess 103 extends through the body part 110 and / or the support part 120 along the extension direction of the body part 110.

[0057] In the above embodiments, the recess 103 is arranged at the joint between the body part 110 and the support part 120, which is beneficial to reduce the rigidity of the joint between the support part 120 and the body part 110, and further beneficial to the deformation of the support part 120 when the instrument tube 200 is squeezed.

[0058] In some alternative embodiments, the depth of the recess 103 gradually increases and then gradually decreases along the extension direction of the unit segment 100. The greater the depth of the recess 103, the lower the rigidity of the corresponding position of the support part 120. Therefore, this embodiment is beneficial to make the support part 120 better adapt to the bending of the instrument tube 200, and further beneficial to increase the bending radius of the instrument tube 200 after bending.

[0059] In some alternative embodiments, the groove wall of the recess 103 has a stop part 130. For example, the recess 103 is arranged at the side of the support part 120 away from the support surface 122. For example, the support part 120 is arranged adjacent to the opening of the recess 103. During the deflection of two adjacent unit segments 100, the two groove walls of the recess 103 can be matched by the stop part 130. In some alternative embodiments, the support part 120 can be a protrusion arranged inside the groove wall of the recess 103.

[0060] During the bending of the active bending section, the instrument tube 200 in the mounting groove 101 bends with the bending of the active bending section, and deforms the support part 120. For example, when the active bending section is bent to a preset angle, the two groove walls of the recess 103 are matched by the stop part 130. In this way, the support part 120 has better rigidity after the active bending section is bent to the preset angle, so as to provide greater support force for the instrument tube 200, and further beneficial to improve the stability of the instrument tube 200 in the active bending section. For example, when two adjacent unit segments 100 in the active bending section are deflected to the maximum bending angle, the two groove walls of the recess 103 on the corresponding unit segment 100 are matched by the stop part 130.

[0061] In another aspect, the present application also provides an endoscope. The endoscope comprises the active bending section provided above. According to some optional embodiments, the endoscope further comprises an instrument tube 200. The instrument tube 200 is arranged in the mounting groove 101. For example, the instrument tube 200 is adapted to the mounting groove 101. For example, the outer side wall of the instrument tube 200 is in abutting fit with the inner side wall of the mounting groove 101, so that the active bending section can provide better support for the instrument tube 200, which is beneficial to avoid the deformation of the instrument tube 200 caused by the pushing of the instrument during the process of the instrument passing through the instrument tube 200.

[0062] The endoscope of the embodiments of the present application can be a gastroscope, a colonoscope, a laryngoscope, a fiber bronchoscope, etc. The embodiments of the present application do not specifically limit the type of the endoscope.

[0063] It should be noted that, in this document, the terms "comprising", "containing", or any other variant thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusions, so that a process, method, article, or device that includes a list of elements not only includes those elements, but also includes other elements not explicitly listed, or inherent to such process, method, article, or device. Without more limitations, the element defined by the phrase "comprising a" does not exclude the presence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article, or device that includes the element. In addition, it should be pointed out that the scope of the methods and devices in the embodiments of the present application is not limited to performing functions in the order shown or discussed, but can also include performing functions in a substantially simultaneous manner or in reverse order, for example, the described method can be performed in an order different from that described, and various steps can also be added, omitted, or combined. In addition, the features described with reference to some examples can be combined in other examples.

[0064] The above is only a specific implementation of the present application, but the protection scope of the present application is not limited thereto, and any person skilled in the art can easily think of changes or replacements within the technical range disclosed by the present application, which should be covered within the protection scope of the present application.

Claims

1. An active bending segment, characterized in that, The endoscope is used in an endoscope, which includes an instrument tube (200). The active bending section includes a plurality of sequentially connected unit segments (100). The unit segments (100) have a first side and a second side facing away from each other. Two adjacent unit segments (100) can be deflected relative to the first side. The unit segment (100) includes a main body (110) and two support parts (120). One of the two support parts (120) is disposed on the first side of the main body (110) and the other is disposed on the second side of the main body (110). A mounting groove (101) for accommodating the instrument tube (200) is formed between the two support parts (120). When two adjacent unit segments (100) deflect toward the first side, one of the two supports (120) can deform away from the other under the action of the instrument tube (200); At least part of the support portion (120) includes at least two support sub-parts (121) distributed along one side of the extension direction of the unit segment (100), and one of the two adjacent support sub-parts (121) can deform independently relative to the other under the action of the instrument tube (200).

2. The active bending section according to claim 1, characterized in that, There is a clearance gap (102) between two adjacent support sub-parts (121) in the support part (120).

3. The active bending segment according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, In the same support portion (120), the stiffness of the support sub-portion (121) adjacent to the end of the extension direction of the unit segment (100) is less than the stiffness of the support sub-portion (121) adjacent to the middle of the extension direction of the unit segment (100).

4. The active bending segment according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The width of the groove (101) of at least a portion of the unit segment (100) is smaller than the diameter of the instrument tube (200).

5. The active bending section according to claim 4, characterized in that, The two supporting parts (120) in the unit segment (100) have a supporting surface (122) facing each other. The supporting surface (122) is concave and is adapted to the outer wall of the instrument tube (200). When the instrument tube (200) is located in the mounting groove (101), the supporting surface (122) is in contact with the outer wall of the instrument tube (200).

6. The active bending section according to claim 4, characterized in that, The cross-sectional shape of the support portion (120) perpendicular to the extending direction of the unit segment (100) is arc-shaped, and when the instrument tube (200) is located in the mounting groove (101), the outer peripheral wall of the instrument tube (200) is tangent to the outer peripheral wall of the support portion (120); and / or, The active bending section is an integral injection-molded structure.

7. The active bending segment according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, A groove (103) is provided at the connection between the main body (110) and the support (120), and the groove (103) extends through the main body (110) and / or the support (120) along the extension direction of the main body (110).

8. The active bending section according to claim 7, characterized in that, The groove (103) has a stop portion (130) on its groove wall. During the deflection of two adjacent unit segments (100), the two groove walls of the groove (103) can be engaged by the stop portion (130).

9. An endoscope, characterized in that, Includes the active bending segment as described in any one of claims 1 to 8.

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