A serpentine structure, an active bending section, an insertion portion, and an endoscope

Abstract

The application discloses a snake bone structure, an active bending section, an insertion part and a endoscope, and relates to the technical field of medical devices.The snake bone structure comprises a plurality of snake bone units, and adjacent snake bone units are connected through connecting pieces, wherein the connecting pieces have first connecting ends and second connecting ends, the first connecting ends and the second connecting ends are connected with two adjacent snake bone units respectively, and the first connecting ends and the second connecting ends are located on both sides of the central axis of the snake bone structure.The snake bone structure can keep good form, strength and supporting effect of the connecting pieces, so that the supporting effect of the connecting pieces on adjacent snake bone units can be ensured, and the stability and controllability of the bending angle of the snake bone structure after bending can be ensured.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of medical device technology, and in particular to a snake-bone structure, an active bending section, an insertion part, and an endoscope. Background Technology

[0002] An endoscope is a commonly used medical device that can directly enter the body's natural cavities for examination, providing doctors with comprehensive diagnostic information. An endoscope typically includes: an insertion part for insertion into the body, a manipulator for easy operation, and a display device for showing the internal environment of the body's natural cavities. Through the cooperation of these three parts, the endoscope enables visualization of the body's interior, exploration of lesions, and treatment.

[0003] The insertion section includes an active bending section and a passive bending section. The active bending section is located at the distal end of the insertion section. By moving the toggle on the control handle, the traction rope connected to it can be moved, thereby controlling the bending of the active bending section. The bending of the active bending section can drive the passive bending section to perform adaptive bending. Then, the camera module located at the distal end face of the insertion section acquires images within the illumination range, enabling the endoscope to perform large-scale observation, imaging, and diagnosis of the human body.

[0004] In existing technologies, active bending sections are typically achieved through a serpentine structure, which can be either integrally injection-molded or riveted. Existing integrally injection-molded serpentine structures have multiple serpentine units connected by a connecting part, which is a short, thin strip-shaped structure positioned along the axial direction of the serpentine unit. However, the inventors have discovered that existing integrally injection-molded serpentine structures have at least the following drawbacks in use: poor bending stability and controllable bending angle, requiring repeated operations to bend to the desired angle, significantly increasing operational difficulty; furthermore, the inventors have found that with increasing bending cycles, the bending strength of the insertion part in its natural state decreases, making it susceptible to bending due to its own gravity, hindering re-insertion into the body cavity.

[0005] Therefore, providing a snake-bone structure with good bending stability and controllable bending angle has become a technical problem that urgently needs to be solved by those skilled in the art. Summary of the Invention

[0006] This invention discloses a snake-bone structure, an active bending section, an insertion part, and an endoscope to solve the technical problem in related technologies where snake-bone structures have poor bending stability and controllability of bending angle, requiring operators to perform repeated operations to bend them to a predetermined angle, which brings great operational difficulty to the operator.

[0007] To solve the above problems, the present invention adopts the following technical solution:

[0008] The first aspect of the present invention provides a snake bone structure.

[0009] The snake bone structure of the present invention includes a plurality of snake bone units, adjacent snake bone units are connected by a connector, wherein the connector has a first connecting end and a second connecting end, the first connecting end and the second connecting end are respectively connected to two adjacent snake bone units, and the first connecting end and the second connecting end are located on both sides of the central axis of the snake bone structure.

[0010] According to a preferred embodiment, the first width of the connector along the circumferential direction of the snake bone unit is greater than the second width of the connector along the axial direction of the snake bone unit.

[0011] According to a preferred embodiment, the connector further includes a first support portion and a second support portion, wherein the first support portion and the first connecting end are located on one side of the connector, and the second support portion and the second connecting end are located on the other side of the connector. When the snake bone structure is in its natural state, both the first support portion and the second support portion are in contact with the snake bone unit. When the snake bone structure is in a bent state, one of the first support portion and the second support portion abuts against the snake bone unit.

[0012] According to a preferred embodiment, the side of the first support portion away from the first connecting end is a first arc-shaped structure, and the side of the second support portion away from the second connecting end is a second arc-shaped structure. When the snake bone structure is in a bent state, one of the first arc-shaped structure and the second arc-shaped structure abuts against the snake bone unit.

[0013] According to a preferred embodiment, the first support portion has a first slit between itself and one of the two adjacent snake bone units, and the second support portion has a second slit between itself and the other of the two adjacent snake bone units. The snake bones are in a natural state, with the first support portion and one of the two adjacent snake bone units fitting together, and the second support portion and the other of the two adjacent snake bone units fitting together.

[0014] According to a preferred embodiment, the connector further has a first opening between itself and one of the two adjacent snake-bone units, the first opening being located between the first slit and the first connecting end, and the first opening communicating with the first slit; the connector further has a second opening between itself and the other of the two adjacent snake-bone units, the second opening being located between the second slit and the second connecting end, and the second opening communicating with the second slit.

[0015] According to a preferred embodiment, the first distance between the first opening and the first slit is greater than the second distance between the first opening and the first connecting end; the third distance between the second opening and the second slit is greater than the fourth distance between the second opening and the second connecting end.

[0016] A second aspect of the invention provides an active bending segment.

[0017] The active bending segment of the present invention includes the snake bone structure described in any of the technical solutions of the present invention.

[0018] A third aspect of the present invention provides an insertion portion.

[0019] The insertion portion of the present invention includes the active bending segment described in any of the technical solutions of the present invention.

[0020] A fourth aspect of the present invention provides an endoscope.

[0021] The endoscope of the present invention includes the insertion portion described in any of the technical solutions of the present invention.

[0022] The technical solution adopted in this invention can achieve at least the following beneficial effects:

[0023] The snake-bone structure of the present invention includes multiple snake-bone units, adjacent of which are connected by connectors. The first and second connecting ends of the connectors are located on opposite sides of the central axis of the snake-bone structure. Compared to connectors in the prior art that are positioned along the axial direction of the snake-bone structure, this connector structure, with its first and second connecting ends located on opposite sides of the central axis, experiences less bending force during the bending process, thus making the connector less prone to deformation. Furthermore, the staggered arrangement of the first and second connecting ends on opposite sides of the central axis provides the connector with a degree of flexibility, further reducing the shear force experienced during bending and thus minimizing deformation. In other words, the connectors of the present invention are less prone to deformation during the bending process of the snake-bone structure, maintaining good shape, strength, and support, thus avoiding problems such as increased length, decreased strength, and weakened support due to deformation.

[0024] As can be seen, when the snake-bone structure of the present invention is applied to the active bending section of the endoscope insertion part, the snake-bone structure is not easily deformed, and the connector can maintain good shape, strength, and support. This ensures the stability of the active bending section after bending. At the same time, because the connector can maintain good shape, strength, and support, the active bending section can still bend according to the predetermined bending radius after multiple bends. This effectively controls the bending angle of the active bending section, meaning that the bending of the active bending section is well controllable. The operator does not need to repeatedly adjust the bending angle, thus reducing the difficulty of operation. It also avoids the problem that the bending strength of the snake-bone structure decreases with prolonged use, making it difficult for the operator to re-insert the insertion part into the human cavity.

[0025] The snake-bone structure of this invention, by improving the structure of the connectors, reduces the stress on the connectors during bending, making the connectors less prone to deformation. This ensures good shape, strength, and support effect of the connectors on the snake-bone unit, thereby ensuring the bending stability and controllability of the bending angle of the snake-bone structure. This solves the technical problem of poor bending stability and controllability of bending angle in related snake-bone structures, which requires repeated operations to bend to the predetermined angle, causing great operational difficulty for the operator. The snake-bone structure of this invention also solves the technical problem of the decrease in bending strength of the snake-bone structure with the extension of service time.

[0026] In addition, the preferred technical solution of the present invention has at least the following beneficial technical effects:

[0027] In the preferred embodiment of the serpentine structure of this invention, the first width of the connector along the circumferential direction of the serpentine unit is greater than the second width of the connector along the axial direction of the serpentine unit. This allows the connector to have a larger deformation allowance in the circumferential direction of the serpentine unit, while the connector is less susceptible to compression deformation in the axial direction of the serpentine unit. That is, during the bending process of the serpentine structure, the connector of the preferred embodiment of this invention is less prone to compression and tension deformation, and is less likely to deform inward or outward due to compression from the serpentine units on both sides. This further ensures that the connector maintains good shape, strength, and support function, avoiding problems such as increased length, decreased strength, and weakened support function caused by deformation.

[0028] In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the snake-bone structure of the connector further comprises a first support portion and a second support portion. When the snake-bone structure is in its natural state, both the first support portion and the second support portion are in contact with the snake-bone unit. When the snake-bone structure is in a bent state, one of the first support portion and the second support portion abuts against the snake-bone unit. It can be seen that, regardless of whether the snake-bone structure of the preferred embodiment of the present invention is in its natural state or a bent state, the first support portion and the second support portion can increase the contact area between the connector and the snake-bone unit, thereby enhancing the supporting effect of the connector on the snake-bone unit. Especially when the snake-bone structure is in a bent state, one of the first and second support parts abuts against the snake-bone unit, that is, one of the first and second support parts has surface-to-surface contact support with the snake-bone unit. This structure can enhance the support effect of the connector, so that under the pulling action of the traction rope, adjacent snake-bone units will not approach each other, thus ensuring good axial support performance of the snake-bone structure. On the other hand, the surface-to-surface contact support between the first and second support parts and the snake-bone unit can also improve the local strength of the snake-bone structure, making the gap between snake-bone units less likely to be compressed. This can further prevent the connector from being compressed and deformed, and also prevent the connector from breaking due to deformation. This would prevent the bent snake-bone structure from twisting, which would further increase the difficulty of operation for the operator. It can also prevent the snake-bone structure from losing its bending strength over time, which would make it difficult for the operator to re-insert the insertion part into the human body cavity.

[0029] In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the snake-bone structure has a first arc-shaped structure on the side of the first support portion away from the first connecting end, and a second arc-shaped structure on the side of the second support portion away from the second connecting end. When the snake-bone structure bends further, it can abut against the snake-bone unit through one of the first and second arc-shaped structures. Since the side of the first support portion away from the first connecting end is the first arc-shaped structure, and the side of the second support portion away from the second connecting end is the second arc-shaped structure, the contact between the first and second arc-shaped structures and the snake-bone unit through the abutment of one of the first and second arc-shaped structures ensures that the first or second arc-shaped structure is in surface-to-surface contact with the snake-bone unit, thereby ensuring the connection of the components. The supporting effect ensures the stability of the snake bone structure during further bending. On the other hand, in the prior art, when the snake bone structure bends further, adjacent snake bone units squeeze the connecting part, thereby further reducing the gap between adjacent snake bone units on the side closer to the bending direction. However, in the preferred embodiment of the present invention, when the snake bone structure bends further, one of the first arc-shaped structure and the second arc-shaped structure abuts against the snake bone unit to make room, thereby further reducing the gap between adjacent snake bone units. This avoids the adjacent snake bone units squeezing the connecting part and further prevents the connecting part from being compressed and deformed. Attached Figure Description

[0030] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0031] Figure 1 This is the first schematic diagram of an integral injection-molded snake bone structure in its natural state in the prior art;

[0032] Figure 2 This is a second schematic diagram of an integral injection-molded snake bone structure in its natural state in the prior art;

[0033] Figure 3 This is the first schematic diagram of an integral injection-molded snake bone structure in a bent state in the prior art;

[0034] Figure 4 This is a second schematic diagram of an integral injection-molded snake bone structure in a bent state in the prior art;

[0035] Figure 5 This is a first schematic diagram of the snake bone structure in its natural state according to an embodiment of this application;

[0036] Figure 6 yes Figure 5 Enlarged view of section A;

[0037] Figure 7 yes Figure 5 Enlarged view of section B;

[0038] Figure 8 This is a second schematic diagram of the snake bone structure in its natural state according to an embodiment of this application;

[0039] Figure 9 This is a third schematic diagram of the snake bone structure in its natural state according to an embodiment of this application;

[0040] Figure 10 This is a fourth schematic diagram of the snake bone structure in its natural state according to an embodiment of this application;

[0041] Figure 11 This is a first schematic diagram of the snake bone structure in a bent state according to an embodiment of this application;

[0042] Figure 12 This is a second schematic diagram of the snake bone structure in a bent state according to an embodiment of this application;

[0043] Figure 13 yes Figure 12 Enlarged view of section C.

[0044] In the diagram: 10, snake-bone unit; 101, instrument tube channel; 102, signal line channel; 103, first traction rope channel; 104, second traction rope channel; 11, connecting part; 111, first side; 112, second side; 12, first gap; 13, second gap; 14, first snake-bone unit; 15, second snake-bone unit; 20, connector; 21, first connecting end; 22, second connecting end; 23, first support part; 24, second support part; 25, first arc-shaped structure; 26, second arc-shaped structure; 30, first slit; 40, second slit; 50, first opening; 60, second opening. Detailed Implementation

[0045] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this invention clearer, the technical solutions of this invention will be described in detail below. Obviously, the described embodiments are merely some embodiments of this invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this invention, all other implementation methods obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this invention.

[0046] The terms "first," "second," etc., used in the specification and claims of this application are used to distinguish similar objects and not to describe a specific order or sequence. It should be understood that such use of data can be interchanged where appropriate so that embodiments of this application can be implemented in orders other than those illustrated or described herein, and the objects distinguished by "first," "second," etc., are generally of the same class and the number of objects is not limited; for example, a first object can be one or more. Furthermore, in the specification and claims, "and / or" indicates at least one of the connected objects, and the character " / " generally indicates that the preceding and following objects are in an "or" relationship.

[0047] In the various embodiments of this application, "proximal end" and "distal end" refer to the position of the endoscope and its accessories relative to the user in the usage environment. The end closer to the user is designated as the "proximal end," and the end farther from the user is designated as the "distal end."

[0048] In the various embodiments of this application, the snake bone structure being in a natural state means that the snake bone structure is in a state where it is not under the tension of the traction rope, or that the snake bone structure is in a straight state; the snake bone structure being in a bent state means that the snake bone structure is under the tension of the traction rope, or that the snake bone structure is in a non-straight state.

[0049] In various embodiments of this application, the deformation allowance of the connector 20 refers to the degree of deformability of the connector 20. Specifically, a large deformation allowance of the connector 20 means that the connector 20 still has a large deformation space, that is, the connector 20 still has a large degree of deformation.

[0050] The following is in conjunction with the appendix Figures 1 to 12 The snake-bone structure, active bending segment, insertion part, and endoscope provided in this application are described in detail through specific embodiments and application scenarios.

[0051] Figure 1 and Figure 2 A schematic diagram of a one-piece injection-molded snake bone structure in its natural state is shown. Figure 3 and Figure 4 This diagram illustrates a prior art one-piece injection-molded serpentine structure in a bent state. (Example) Figures 1-4 As shown, an existing one-piece injection-molded snake skeleton has multiple snake skeleton units 10. Adjacent snake skeleton units 10 are connected by connecting parts 11. The connecting parts 11 are short and thin strip-shaped structures, arranged along the axial direction of the snake skeleton unit 10, and can support the snake skeleton unit 10. Each snake skeleton unit 10 is provided with an instrument tube channel 101, a signal line channel 102, a first traction rope channel 103, and a second traction rope channel 104. The instrument tube channel 101, signal line channel 102, first traction rope channel 103, and second traction rope channel 104 all penetrate the snake skeleton unit 10, such as... Figure 1 As shown.

[0052] When the snake bone structure is composed of Figure 1 and Figure 2 The state shown is bent as Figure 3 and Figure 4 In the state shown, due to the gap on the side of the snake bone structure closer to the bending direction (such as... Figure 3 or Figure 4 The first gap 12 shown is reduced, and the gap on the side of the snake bone structure away from the bending direction (such as...) Figure 3 or Figure 4 The second gap 13 shown increases, thereby causing the connecting portion 11 to be closer to the side in the bending direction (e.g., Figure 3 or Figure 4 The first side 111 shown is compressed, and the connecting part 11 is away from the side of the bending direction (e.g. Figure 3 or Figure 4 The second side 112 shown is stretched. After the snake bone structure is repeatedly bent, the two sides of the connecting part 11 are repeatedly compressed and stretched, which not only causes the connecting part 11 to grow due to deformation, but also reduces its strength due to repeated deformation, thus weakening the supporting role of the connecting part 11.

[0053] Due to the increased length, decreased strength, and weakened support of the connecting portion 11, when the snake-bone structure bends to the point where adjacent snake-bone units 10 abut against each other, continued tension on the traction rope will result in a gap between the two snake-bone units 10 on the side closer to the bending direction (e.g., Figure 3 or Figure 4 As the first gap 12 shown continues to decrease, the two snake-bone units 10 approach and press against each other. At this time, the connecting part 11, under the pressure of the snake-bone units 10 on both sides, is prone to concave into the snake-bone unit 10 or bulge outward from the snake-bone unit 10. That is, the connecting part 11 is prone to "arching" under the pressure of the snake-bone units 10 on both sides. The connecting part 11 can no longer provide support, resulting in poor stability of the snake-bone structure after bending. At the same time, due to the deformation of the connecting part 11, the bending radius of the snake-bone structure is also affected. If the tension is continued to be applied to the traction rope, the snake-bone structure cannot achieve the effect of further bending according to the preset bending angle. Specifically, in the gap on the side of the adjacent snake-bone unit 10 closer to the bending direction (such as... Figure 3 or Figure 4 During the compression of the first gap 12 shown, the gap width is larger on the side of the first gap 12 closer to the connecting part 11, and the degree of compression is greater there. This may cause the snake structure to bend in the opposite bending direction (if the bending continues, the bending angle of the snake structure will be further increased, but because the first gap 12 is more compressible on the side closer to the connecting part 11, the bending angle of the snake structure may decrease when the tension is applied to the traction rope). This results in poor controllability of the bending angle of the snake structure, and the operator needs to operate repeatedly to bend it to the predetermined angle, which brings great operational difficulty to the operator.

[0054] After repeated deformations, the connecting part 11 may even break, further exacerbating the problems of stability and controllability of the bending angle of the snake-bone structure. Furthermore, if the connecting part 11 breaks, the axial force on the snake-bone structure under the tension of the traction rope may cause misalignment between adjacent snake-bone units 10, resulting in torsion of the bent snake-bone structure. However, this phenomenon is unpredictable for the operator, further increasing the difficulty of operation.

[0055] In addition, if the connecting part 11 breaks or deforms, the strength of the snake bone structure in the axial direction is broken. Therefore, in the natural state, the traction rope cannot reach the predetermined tension. In other words, the traction rope may be in a loose state. In this state, the bending strength of the snake bone structure is reduced, causing the snake bone structure to bend under its own gravity in the natural state, which is not conducive to the operator inserting the insertion part into the human cavity again.

[0056] Increasing the width of the connecting portion 11 along the circumferential direction of the snake-bone unit 10 can strengthen the supporting function of the connecting portion 11, but the problem of large deformation of the connecting portion 11 still exists. Specifically, the side of the connecting portion 11 closest to the bending direction (e.g.) Figure 3 or Figure 4The first side 111 shown is compressed, and the connecting part 11 is away from the side of the bending direction (e.g. Figure 3 or Figure 4 The second side (112) shown is stretched, and the side of the connecting part 11 away from the bending direction even has a tearing problem due to excessive deformation. If the length of the connecting part 11 along the axial direction of the snake bone unit 10 is increased, although the deformation of the connecting part 11 can be alleviated, the support effect of the connecting part 11 becomes worse, and the problems of bending stability and bending angle controllability of the snake bone structure still cannot be solved.

[0057] This application improves the structure of the connecting part 11 by replacing the connecting part 11, which is arranged along the axial direction of the snake bone structure, with a connecting member 20, which is arranged along the circumferential direction of the snake bone structure. This increases the deformation allowance of the connecting member 20 without increasing its length along the axial direction of the snake bone structure, thereby reducing the degree of deformation of the connecting member 20 during the bending of the snake bone structure. This ensures the support performance of the connecting member 20, thereby ensuring the stability of the snake bone structure during bending and the controllability of the bending angle, and reducing the difficulty of operation for the operator.

[0058] The snake-bone structure, active bending section, insertion part, and endoscope of this application will be described in detail below with reference to Examples 1 to 4.

[0059] Example 1

[0060] This embodiment provides a detailed description of the snake bone structure of this application.

[0061] The snake-bone structure of this embodiment includes multiple snake-bone units 10. Adjacent snake-bone units 10 are connected by connectors 20. Each connector 20 has a first connecting end 21 and a second connecting end 22. The first connecting end 21 and the second connecting end 22 are respectively connected to two adjacent snake-bone units 10. The first connecting end 21 and the second connecting end 22 are located on opposite sides of the central axis of the snake-bone structure. Figures 5-12 As shown. Preferably, the snake-bone structure in this embodiment is a one-piece structure, as shown. Figures 5-12 As shown. More preferably, the snake-bone structure of this embodiment is formed into a single piece by injection molding.

[0062] Adjacent snake-bone units 10 are respectively the first snake-bone unit 14 and the second snake-bone unit 15. The first connecting end 21 is connected to the first snake-bone unit 14, and the second connecting end 22 is connected to the second snake-bone unit 15. Figure 6 As shown in the figure. In this embodiment, the first connecting end 21 and the second connecting end 22 are located on both sides of the central axis of the snake bone structure. That is, the first connecting end 21 and the second connecting end 22 are misaligned in the axial direction of the snake bone structure, and the line connecting the first connecting end 21 and the second connecting end 22 is not parallel to the central axis of the snake bone structure.

[0063] like Figure 9 and Figure 10 As shown, each snake-bone unit 10 is provided with an instrument tube channel 101, a signal line channel 102, a first traction rope channel 103, and a second traction rope channel 104. All three channels—instrument tube channel 101, signal line channel 102, first traction rope channel 103, and second traction rope channel 104—connect to the snake-bone unit 10. Figures 8-10 As shown, the connector 20 mentioned in this embodiment includes a first connector and a second connector located on both sides of the instrument tube channel 101 in the radial direction, and also includes a third connector located on one side of the signal line channel 102 in the radial direction. The second connector and the third connector are located on both sides of the signal line channel 102 in the radial direction.

[0064] The snake-bone structure of this embodiment includes multiple snake-bone units 10. Adjacent snake-bone units 10 are connected by connectors 20. The first connecting end 21 and the second connecting end 22 of the connector 20 are located on both sides of the central axis of the snake-bone structure. In the bending process of the snake-bone structure, compared with the connecting part arranged along the axial direction of the snake-bone structure in the prior art, the first connecting end 21 and the second connecting end 22 of the connector 20 are located on both sides of the central axis of the snake-bone structure, so the first connecting end 21 and the second connecting end 22 are subjected to less bending force, thus making the connector 20 less prone to deformation. On the other hand, the first connecting end 21 and the second connecting end 22 of the connector 20 are located on both sides of the central axis of the snake-bone structure, that is, the first connecting end 21 and the second connecting end 22 are staggered, so the connector 20 itself has a certain degree of flexibility. In the bending process of the snake-bone structure, the shear force on the connector 20 is smaller, thus making the connector 20 less prone to deformation. In other words, during the bending process of the snake bone structure, the connector 20 of this embodiment is not easily deformed, thereby enabling the connector 20 to maintain good shape, strength and support function, and avoiding the problems of increased length, reduced strength and weakened support function of the connector 20 due to deformation.

[0065] As can be seen, when the snake-bone structure of this embodiment is applied to the active bending section of the endoscope insertion part, the connector 20 can maintain good shape, strength, and support because the snake-bone structure is not easily deformed. This ensures the stability of the active bending section after bending. At the same time, because the connector 20 can maintain good shape, strength, and support, the active bending section can still bend according to the predetermined bending radius after multiple bends. This effectively controls the bending angle of the active bending section, meaning that the bending of the active bending section is well controllable. The operator does not need to repeatedly adjust the bending angle, thus reducing the difficulty of operation. It also avoids the problem that the bending strength of the snake-bone structure decreases with prolonged use, making it difficult for the operator to re-insert the insertion part into the human cavity.

[0066] The snake-bone structure of this embodiment improves the structure of the connector 20, reducing the stress on the connector 20 during bending and making it less prone to deformation. This ensures the connector 20 has good shape, strength, and support effect on the snake-bone unit 10, thereby ensuring the stability of the snake-bone structure during bending and the controllability of the bending angle. This solves the technical problem in related technologies where snake-bone structures have poor bending stability and controllability of bending angle, requiring operators to perform repeated operations to bend them to a predetermined angle, which brings great operational difficulty to the operator. The snake-bone structure of this embodiment also solves the technical problem that the bending strength of the snake-bone structure decreases with the extension of the service time.

[0067] According to a preferred embodiment, the first width of the connector 20 along the circumferential direction of the snake-bone unit 10 is greater than the second width of the connector 20 along the axial direction of the snake-bone unit 10, such as... Figures 5-12 As shown. The first width of connector 20 along the circumferential direction of snake bone unit 10 is as follows: Figure 7 The width in the horizontal direction as shown is the second width of the connector 20 along the axial direction of the snake-bone unit 10. Figure 7 The width in the vertical direction as shown.

[0068] In this preferred embodiment, the snake-bone structure has a first width of the connector 20 along the circumferential direction of the snake-bone unit 10 that is greater than the second width of the connector 20 along the axial direction of the snake-bone unit 10. This allows the connector 20 to have a larger deformation allowance in the circumferential direction of the snake-bone unit 10, while the connector 20 is less prone to compression deformation in the axial direction of the snake-bone unit 10. That is, during the bending process of the snake-bone structure, the connector 20 of this preferred embodiment is less prone to compression and tension deformation, and is less likely to be squeezed inward or outward by the snake-bone units 10 on both sides. This further ensures that the connector 20 maintains good shape, strength, and support function, avoiding problems such as increased length, reduced strength, and weakened support function due to deformation.

[0069] According to a preferred embodiment, the connector 20 further includes a first support portion 23 and a second support portion 24. The first support portion 23 and the first connecting end 21 are located on one side of the connector 20, and the second support portion 24 and the second connecting end 22 are located on the other side of the connector 20. Figure 7 As shown; when the snake-bone structure is in its natural state, both the first support portion 23 and the second support portion 24 are in contact with the snake-bone unit 10, as... Figures 5-10 As shown; when the snake-bone structure is in a bent state, one of the first support portion 23 and the second support portion 24 abuts against the snake-bone unit 10, as shown. Figure 11 and Figure 12As shown. Preferably, the first support portion 23 and the first snake bone unit 14 have the same shape when they are in contact, thereby ensuring the fit between the first support portion 23 and the first snake bone unit 14; the second support portion 24 and the second snake bone unit 15 have the same shape when they are in contact, thereby ensuring the fit between the second support portion 24 and the second snake bone unit 15.

[0070] In the preferred embodiment of this technical solution, the snake-bone structure, the connector 20 further has a first support portion 23 and a second support portion 24. When the snake-bone structure is in its natural state, both the first support portion 23 and the second support portion 24 are in contact with the snake-bone unit 10. When the snake-bone structure is in a bent state, one of the first support portion 23 and the second support portion 24 abuts against the snake-bone unit 10. It can be seen that, in the preferred embodiment of this technical solution, the snake-bone structure, whether in its natural state or a bent state, can increase the contact area between the connector 20 and the snake-bone unit 10 through the first support portion 23 and the second support portion 24, thereby enhancing the supporting effect of the connector 20 on the snake-bone unit 10. Especially when the snake-bone structure is in a bent state, one of the first support portion 23 and the second support portion 24 abuts against the snake-bone unit 10, that is, one of the first support portion 23 and the second support portion 24 provides surface-to-surface support to the snake-bone unit 10. This structure can enhance the support effect of the connector 20, so that under the pulling action of the traction rope, adjacent snake-bone units 10 will not approach each other, thus ensuring good axial support performance of the snake-bone structure. On the other hand, the surface-to-surface support between the first support portion 23 and the second support portion 24 and the snake-bone unit 10 can also improve the local strength of the snake-bone structure, making the gap between the snake-bone units 10 less likely to be compressed. This can further prevent the connector 20 from being compressed and deformed, and also prevent the connector 20 from breaking due to deformation, causing the bent snake-bone structure to twist, which would further increase the difficulty of operation for the operator. It can also prevent the snake-bone structure from losing its bending strength over time, which would make it difficult for the operator to re-insert the insertion part into the human body cavity.

[0071] According to a preferred embodiment, the side of the first support portion 23 away from the first connecting end 21 is a first arc-shaped structure 25, and the side of the second support portion 24 away from the second connecting end 22 is a second arc-shaped structure 26, such as... Figure 7 As shown; when the snake-bone structure is in a bent state, one of the first arc-shaped structure 25 and the second arc-shaped structure 26 abuts against the snake-bone unit 10, as... Figure 11 and Figure 12 As shown. Specifically, when the serpentine structure bends towards one side of the central axis, the second arc-shaped structure 26 abuts against the second serpentine unit 15, as... Figure 11 and Figure 12As shown; when the snake-bone structure bends to the other side of the central axis, the first arc-shaped structure 25 abuts against the first snake-bone unit 14. In this preferred embodiment, the abutment between the first arc-shaped structure 25 and the first snake-bone unit 14 means that the first arc-shaped structure 25 and the first snake-bone unit 14 are in surface contact and abut together; the abutment between the second arc-shaped structure 26 and the second snake-bone unit 15 means that the second arc-shaped structure 26 and the second snake-bone unit 15 are in surface contact and abut together.

[0072] In this preferred embodiment, the snake-bone structure has a first arc-shaped structure 25 on the side of the first support portion 23 away from the first connecting end 21, and a second arc-shaped structure 26 on the side of the second support portion 24 away from the second connecting end 22. When the snake-bone structure bends further, it can abut against the snake-bone unit 10 through one of the first arc-shaped structure 25 and the second arc-shaped structure 26. Since the first arc-shaped structure 25 is the side of the first support portion 23 away from the first connecting end 21, and the second arc-shaped structure 26 is the side of the second support portion 24 away from the second connecting end 22, the snake-bone unit 10 can abut against the first arc-shaped structure 25 and the second arc-shaped structure 26 through the snake-bone unit 10. The contact ensures that the first arc-shaped structure 25 or the second arc-shaped structure 26 is in surface-to-surface contact with the snake-bone unit 10, thereby ensuring the supporting effect of the connector and the stability of the snake-bone structure during further bending. On the other hand, in the prior art, when the snake-bone structure bends further, adjacent snake-bone units 10 compress the connecting part, thereby further reducing the gap between adjacent snake-bone units 10 on the side closer to the bending direction. However, in the preferred embodiment of this embodiment, when the snake-bone structure bends further, one of the first arc-shaped structure 25 and the second arc-shaped structure 26 makes contact with the snake-bone unit 10 to allow for clearance (e.g., Figure 13 As shown in the figure, the gap between adjacent snake bone units 10 is further reduced, thereby avoiding the adjacent snake bone units 10 from squeezing the connector and further preventing the connector from being compressed and deformed.

[0073] According to a preferred embodiment, the first support portion 23 has a first slit 30 between itself and one of the two adjacent snake-bone units 10, and the second support portion 24 has a second slit 40 between itself and the other of the two adjacent snake-bone units 10. Figure 7 As shown; in its natural state, the first support 23 is in contact with one of the two adjacent snake bone units 10, and the second support 24 is in contact with the other of the two adjacent snake bone units 10, as shown. Figures 5-10As shown. Preferably, the gap width of the first slit 30 and the second slit 40 is 0, so that the snake bone is in its natural state, the first support 23 can fit with the first snake bone unit 14, and the second support 24 can fit with the second snake bone unit 15, thereby ensuring the supporting effect of the connector 20 on the snake bone unit 10. The gap width of the first slit 30 and the second slit 40 is 0, which means that the first slit 30 and the second slit 40 are formed by integral cutting of the snake bone structure, and the gap caused by material loss due to cutting can be ignored.

[0074] In this preferred embodiment, the snake-bone structure has a first slit 30 between the first support portion 23 and one of the two adjacent snake-bone units 10, and a second slit 40 between the second support portion 24 and the other of the two adjacent snake-bone units 10. Specifically, when the snake-bone structure bends towards one side of the central axis, the second support portion 24 and the second arc-shaped structure 26 abut against the second snake-bone unit 15, increasing the width of the first slit 30. This provides a certain amount of clearance space for the connector 20, preventing excessive deformation at the connection between the connector 20 and the first snake-bone unit 14, which could lead to tearing. When the snake-bone structure bends towards the other side of the central axis, the first support portion 23 and the first arc-shaped structure 25 abut against the first snake-bone unit 14, increasing the width of the second slit 40. This also provides a certain amount of clearance space for the connector 20, preventing excessive deformation at the connection between the connector 20 and the second snake-bone unit 15, which could lead to tearing. As can be seen, the snake bone structure of the preferred technical solution in this embodiment can provide a certain clearance space for the connector 20 when the snake bone structure is bent, through the first cut 30 or the second cut 40, so as to avoid the problem of excessive deformation at the connection between the connector 20 and the snake bone unit 10, which would lead to tearing.

[0075] According to a preferred embodiment, the connector 20 further has a first opening 50 between itself and one of the two adjacent snake-bone units 10. The first opening 50 is located between the first slit 30 and the first connecting end 21, and the first opening 50 communicates with the first slit 30. The connector 20 also has a second opening 60 between itself and the other of the two adjacent snake-bone units 10. The second opening 60 is located between the second slit 40 and the second connecting end 22, and the second opening 60 communicates with the second slit 40. Figure 7 As shown. In this preferred embodiment, the first opening 50 and the first slit 30 being connected means that the first opening 50 and the first slit 30 are directly connected along the circumferential direction of the snake-bone structure; the second opening 60 and the second slit 40 being connected means that the second opening 60 and the second slit 40 are directly connected along the circumferential direction of the snake-bone structure, as shown. Figure 7 As shown.

[0076] In this preferred embodiment, the snake-bone structure bends towards one side of the central axis, increasing the width of the first slit 30. Since a first opening 50 is provided between the first slit 30 and the first connecting end 21, the first opening 50 provides additional clearance for the connector 20, preventing excessive deformation at the connection between the connector 20 and the first snake-bone unit 14, which could lead to tearing. Similarly, when the snake-bone structure bends towards the other side of the central axis, increasing the width of the second slit 40, the second opening 60 is provided between the second slit 40 and the second connecting end 22, further providing clearance for the connector 20 and preventing excessive deformation at the connection between the connector 20 and the first snake-bone unit 14, which could lead to tearing. As can be seen, the snake bone structure of the preferred technical solution in this embodiment can provide a certain amount of clearance space for the connector 20 when the snake bone structure is bent, through the first opening 50 or the second opening 60, thereby further avoiding the problem of excessive deformation at the connection between the connector 20 and the snake bone unit 10, which would lead to tearing.

[0077] According to a preferred embodiment, the first distance between the first opening 50 and the first slit 30 is greater than the second distance between the first opening 50 and the first connecting end 21; the third distance between the second opening 60 and the second slit 40 is greater than the fourth distance between the second opening 60 and the second connecting end 22. Preferably, the first distance between the first opening 50 and the first slit 30 refers to the length between the center of the first opening 50 and the midpoint of the first slit 30 along the circumferential direction of the snake-like structure; similarly, the second distance between the first opening 50 and the first connecting end 21 refers to the length between the center of the first opening 50 and the midpoint of the first connecting end 21 along the circumferential direction of the snake-like structure; the third distance between the second opening 60 and the second slit 40 refers to the length between the center of the second opening 60 and the midpoint of the second slit 40 along the circumferential direction of the snake-like structure; and the fourth distance between the second opening 60 and the second connecting end 22 refers to the length between the center of the second opening 60 and the midpoint of the second connecting end 22 along the circumferential direction of the snake-like structure.

[0078] In this preferred embodiment, the snake-bone structure has a first distance between the first opening 50 and the first slit 30 that is greater than the second distance between the first opening 50 and the first connecting end 21, and a third distance between the second opening 60 and the second slit 40 that is greater than the fourth distance between the second opening 60 and the second connecting end 22. That is, the first slit 30 and the second slit 40 are longer in the circumferential direction of the snake-bone structure, which can further enhance the effect of the first slit 30 and the first opening 50, as well as the second slit 40 and the second opening 60, providing clearance space for the connector 20. This can further avoid the problem of excessive deformation at the connection between the connector 20 and the snake-bone unit 10, which could lead to tearing.

[0079] According to a preferred embodiment, the diameter of the first opening 50 is larger than the slit width of the first slit 30, and the diameter of the second opening 60 is larger than the slit width of the second slit 40. Preferably, the first opening 50 and the second opening 60 are circular, arc-shaped, square, or triangular structures. Figures 5-7 A schematic diagram showing the first opening 50 and the second opening 60 having a circular structure is shown. Preferably, the opening size of the first opening 50 near the first connecting end 21 is larger than the opening size of the first opening 50 near the first slit 30; the opening size of the second opening 60 near the second connecting end 22 is larger than the opening size of the second opening 60 near the second slit 40. In the preferred embodiment of the snake-bone structure, the diameter of the first opening 50 is larger than the gap width of the first slit 30, and the diameter of the second opening 60 is larger than the gap width of the second slit 40. This further enhances the effect of the first slit 30 and the first opening 50, as well as the second slit 40 and the second opening 60, providing clearance space for the connector 20, thereby further avoiding the problem of excessive deformation at the connection between the connector 20 and the snake-bone unit 10, which could lead to tearing.

[0080] Example 2

[0081] This embodiment provides a detailed description of the active bending segment of this application.

[0082] The active bending section of this embodiment includes the snake-bone structure of any of the technical solutions in Embodiment 1. The active bending section also includes an instrument tube disposed within the instrument tube channel 101, a signal line disposed within the signal line channel 102, a traction rope disposed within the traction rope channel, and a camera assembly disposed at the distal end of the active bending section. Preferably, the active bending section further includes a covering layer that covers the snake-bone structure. The remaining structures of the active bending section can be the same as the structures of corresponding components in the prior art, and will not be described in detail here.

[0083] The active bending section of this embodiment includes the snake-bone structure of any of the technical solutions in Embodiment 1. Since the connector 20 of the snake-bone structure is not easily deformed by compression and tension, nor is it easily deformed by being squeezed inward or outward by the snake-bone units 10 on both sides, the connector 20 can maintain good shape, strength and support. This ensures the support effect of the connector 20 on the adjacent snake-bone units 10 during the bending process of the active bending section, thereby ensuring the stability of the active bending section after bending. At the same time, since the connector 20 can maintain good shape, strength and support, the active bending section can still bend according to the predetermined bending radius after multiple bending, thereby effectively controlling the bending angle of the active bending section. That is, the bending controllability of the active bending section is good, and the operator does not need to repeatedly adjust the bending angle, thereby reducing the difficulty of operation for the operator. It also avoids the problem that the bending strength of the snake-bone structure decreases with the extension of the usage time, which is not conducive to the operator re-inserting the insertion part into the human cavity.

[0084] Example 3

[0085] This embodiment provides a detailed description of the insertion part of this application.

[0086] The insertion part of this embodiment includes the active bending section of any of the technical solutions in Embodiment 2. The insertion part also includes a passive bending section, the distal end of which is connected to the proximal end of the active bending section, and the proximal end of the passive bending section is connected to the distal end of the handle. The remaining structure of the passive bending section is the same as that of the passive bending section in the prior art, and will not be described again here.

[0087] The insertion part of this embodiment includes the active bending section of any of the technical solutions in embodiment 2. Since the active bending section has good controllability of bending angle during bending and good stability after bending, the bending controllability and bending stability of the distal end of the insertion part are good. On the other hand, as the usage time is extended, the distal end of the insertion part can still maintain good bending strength, which makes it possible to reuse the insertion part multiple times.

[0088] Example 4

[0089] This embodiment provides a detailed description of the endoscope of this application.

[0090] The endoscope of this embodiment includes the insertion part of any of the technical solutions in Embodiment 3. The endoscope also includes a handle and a display device, wherein the handle is connected to the insertion part and also to the display device. The structure of the handle and the display device can be the same as that of prior art handles and display devices, and will not be described again here. The endoscope of this embodiment can be a bronchoscope, pyeloscope, esophagoscope, gastroscope, colonoscope, otoscope, rhinoscope, oral endoscope, laryngoscope, colposcope, laparoscope, arthroscope, etc.

[0091] The endoscope of this embodiment includes the insertion part of any of the technical solutions in embodiment 3. Due to the good bending controllability and bending stability of the distal end of the insertion part, the bending performance of the endoscope of this embodiment is reliable, thereby enabling the endoscope of this embodiment to acquire images of a larger area inside the body. On the other hand, the distal end of the insertion part of the endoscope of this embodiment can still maintain good bending strength as the application of use is prolonged, providing the possibility for repeated use of the insertion part.

[0092] It should be noted that, in this document, the terms "comprising," "including," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such a process, method, article, or apparatus. Without further limitations, an element defined by the phrase "comprising one..." does not exclude the presence of other identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that includes that element. Furthermore, it should be noted that the scope of the methods and apparatuses in the embodiments of this application is not limited to performing functions in the order shown or discussed, but may also include performing functions substantially simultaneously or in the reverse order, depending on the functions involved. For example, the described methods may be performed in a different order than described, and various steps may be added, omitted, or combined. Additionally, features described with reference to certain examples may be combined in other examples.

[0093] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of the present invention, but the scope of protection of the present invention is not limited thereto. Any changes or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technology disclosed in the present invention should be included within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A snake-bone structure, characterized in that, The snake bone structure is an integral structure, which includes multiple snake bone units (10). Adjacent snake bone units (10) are connected by connectors (20). The connectors (20) have a first connecting end (21) and a second connecting end (22). The first connecting end (21) and the second connecting end (22) are fixedly connected to two adjacent snake bone units (10) respectively. The first connecting end (21) and the second connecting end (22) are located on both sides of the central axis of the snake bone structure.

2. The snake-bone structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first width of the connector (20) along the circumferential direction of the snake bone unit (10) is greater than the second width of the connector (20) along the axial direction of the snake bone unit (10).

3. The snake-bone structure according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The connector (20) also has a first support portion (23) and a second support portion (24), the first support portion (23) and the first connecting end (21) being located on one side of the connector (20), and the second support portion (24) and the second connecting end (22) being located on the other side of the connector (20). When the snake bone structure is in its natural state, the first support part (23) and the second support part (24) are both in contact with the snake bone unit (10). When the snake bone structure is in a bent state, one of the first support part (23) and the second support part (24) abuts against the snake bone unit (10).

4. The snake-bone structure according to claim 3, characterized in that, The side of the first support part (23) away from the first connecting end (21) is a first arc-shaped structure (25), and the side of the second support part (24) away from the second connecting end (22) is a second arc-shaped structure (26). When the snake bone structure is in a bent state, one of the first arc-shaped structure (25) and the second arc-shaped structure (26) abuts against the snake bone unit (10).

5. The snake-bone structure according to claim 3, characterized in that, The first support portion (23) has a first slit (30) between itself and one of the two adjacent snake bone units (10), and the second support portion (24) has a second slit (40) between itself and the other of the two adjacent snake bone units (10). In its natural state, the first support (23) is in contact with one of the two adjacent snake bone units (10), and the second support (24) is in contact with the other of the two adjacent snake bone units (10).

6. The snake-bone structure according to claim 5, characterized in that, The connector (20) also has a first opening (50) between itself and one of the two adjacent snake bone units (10). The first opening (50) is located between the first slit (30) and the first connecting end (21), and the first opening (50) communicates with the first slit (30). The connector (20) also has a second opening (60) between itself and the other of the two adjacent snake bone units (10), the second opening (60) being located between the second cut (40) and the second connecting end (22), and the second opening (60) communicating with the second cut (40).

7. The snake-bone structure according to claim 6, characterized in that, The first distance between the first opening (50) and the first slit (30) is greater than the second distance between the first opening (50) and the first connecting end (21); The third distance between the second opening (60) and the second cut (40) is greater than the fourth distance between the second opening (60) and the second connecting end (22).

8. An active bending segment, characterized in that, The snake-bone structure includes any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. An insertion part, characterized in that, Includes the active bending segment as described in claim 8.

10. An endoscope, characterized in that, Includes the insertion portion as described in claim 9.

Images