Active bending section, insertion section, endoscope, and assembly method of active bending section

Abstract

The present invention discloses an active bending section, an insertion part, an endoscope and an assembly method of the active bending section, relating to the technical field of medical devices. The active bending section of the present invention is applied to the insertion part of the endoscope. The active bending section includes a plurality of snake bone joints. Two adjacent snake bone joints are connected to each other, and the active bending section is formed with a cavity channel penetrating along the axial direction. The active bending section further includes a spring tube, which is fixed in the cavity channel and sleeved outside the traction rope or the instrument tube located in the cavity channel. The spring tube extends from the last snake bone joint at the proximal end to at least the snake bone joint adjacent to the last snake bone joint at the proximal end. The active bending section of the present invention can make the snake bone joints at the distal end of the spring tube bend first. This bending mode is beneficial to reducing the bending radius during the bending process of the active bending section. When used by a doctor during the operation, the operation difficulty can be reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of medical devices, and particularly to an actively bendable section, an insertion portion, an endoscope, and an assembly method for the actively bendable section. Background Art

[0002] An endoscope is a commonly used medical device that can directly enter the human body cavity for examination, providing sufficient diagnostic information for doctors. An endoscope generally includes: an insertion portion for inserting into the human body, a handle for controlling the bending of the front end of the insertion portion, and a display device for displaying the internal environment of the natural human body cavity; through the cooperation of the above three parts, the endoscope can achieve peeping into the human body, exploring lesions, and treatment.

[0003] The insertion portion includes an actively bendable section and a passively bendable section, and the actively bendable section is located at the distal end of the insertion portion. In related technologies, a traction rope is arranged inside the handle. The distal end of the traction rope is fixedly connected to the distal snake bone joint of the actively bendable section, and the proximal end of the traction rope is fixedly connected to a dial or a knob on the handle. By operating the lever or the knob, the traction rope can move synchronously and in opposite directions, so that the actively bendable section of the insertion portion bends. A camera module is provided at the distal end of the actively bendable section. After the insertion portion extends into the human body, the direction of the camera module can be adjusted by bending the actively bendable section, so that the camera module is aligned with the lesion site to provide diagnostic information for doctors.

[0004] However, the inventor has found that when the actively bendable section bends, there is a phenomenon that its proximal end bends before the distal end. This bending method results in a relatively large bending radius of the actively bendable section during the bending process. When doctors use it during surgery, if they need to bend the actively bendable section to the lower calyx end of the kidney, the operation difficulty is relatively large. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The present invention discloses an actively bendable section, an insertion portion, an endoscope, and an assembly method for the actively bendable section, so as to solve the technical problem in related technologies that when the actively bendable section bends, the bending radius is relatively large, resulting in relatively large operation difficulty for doctors during surgery.

[0006] To solve the above problems, the present invention adopts the following technical solutions:

[0007] The first aspect of the present invention provides an actively bendable section.

[0008] The active bending section of the present invention is applied to the insertion part of an endoscope. The active bending section includes a plurality of snake bone joints. Two adjacent snake bone joints are connected to each other, and the active bending section forms a channel that penetrates in the axial direction. The active bending section further includes a spring tube, which is fixed in the channel, and the spring tube is sleeved outside a traction rope or an instrument tube located in the channel. The spring tube extends at least from the last snake bone joint at the proximal end to the snake bone joint adjacent to the last snake bone joint at the proximal end.

[0009] According to an optional embodiment, the spring tube extends from the last snake bone joint at the proximal end to the snake bone joint at the distal end, and a first elastic force generated by the spring tube located at the proximal end is greater than a second elastic force generated by the spring tube located at the distal end.

[0010] According to an optional embodiment, in the direction from the proximal end to the distal end, the elastic force generated by the spring tube gradually decreases.

[0011] According to an optional embodiment, the spring tube is of an integral structure; or the spring tube is of a segmented structure, and a gap is formed between two adjacent snake bone joints, and each spring tube spans at least one such gap.

[0012] According to an optional embodiment, when the spring tube is sleeved outside the traction rope, the spring tube is fixedly connected to the snake bone joint; or a traction rope installation part is provided in the channel, the traction rope installation part protrudes from the inner wall of the snake bone joint, and an end of the spring tube abuts against an end face of the traction rope installation part, and the axial movement displacement of the spring tube is limited by the traction rope installation part.

[0013] According to an optional embodiment, when the spring tube is sleeved outside the instrument tube, the spring tube is fixedly connected to the instrument tube; or a plurality of limiting parts are arranged at intervals in the axial direction of the instrument tube, an end of the spring tube abuts against the limiting part, and the axial movement displacement of the spring tube is limited by the limiting part.

[0014] The second aspect of the present invention provides an assembly method for an active bending section.

[0015] The assembly method for the active bending section according to any one of the technical solutions of the present invention, the assembly method includes the following steps:

[0016] Rivet two adjacent snake bone joints in sequence;

[0017] Fix the spring tube in the channel, and make the spring tube be sleeved outside a traction rope or an instrument tube located in the channel. The spring tube extends at least from the last snake bone joint at the proximal end to the snake bone joint adjacent to the last snake bone joint at the proximal end.

[0018] According to an optional embodiment, the assembling method includes the following steps:

[0019] Arrange multiple snake bone segments at intervals, and make the distance between two adjacent snake bone segments gradually decrease in the direction from the proximal end to the distal end;

[0020] Install a spring tube in the cavity, and fixedly connect the spring tube with the snake bone segment or the instrument tube in the cavity;

[0021] Rivet two adjacent snake bone segments in sequence.

[0022] The third aspect of the present invention provides an insertion part.

[0023] The insertion part of the present invention includes an active bending section and a passive bending section, and the active bending section and the passive bending section are connected. Among them, the active bending section is the active bending section described in any one of the technical solutions of the present invention.

[0024] The fourth aspect of the present invention provides an endoscope.

[0025] The endoscope of the present invention includes an insertion part and a handle, and the insertion part and the handle are connected. Among them, the insertion part is the insertion part described in any one of the technical solutions of the present invention.

[0026] The technical solution adopted by the present invention can achieve the following beneficial effects:

[0027] In the active bending section of the present invention, a spring tube is fixed in the cavity. When controlling the bending of the active bending section by pulling the traction rope, when the snake bone segment of the active bending section is about to rotate, the pulling force of the traction rope needs to overcome at least the friction between the snake bone segment and the riveting part. For the part provided with the spring tube, in addition to overcoming the friction between the snake bone segment and the riveting part, it is also necessary to overcome the resistance caused by the spring tube.

[0028] In the active bending section of the present invention, since the spring tube extends at least from the last snake bone segment at the proximal end to the snake bone segment adjacent to the last snake bone segment at the proximal end, after applying a pulling force to the traction rope, the pulling force can first overcome the resistance received by the snake bone segment at the distal end of the spring tube and make the snake bone segment at the distal end of the spring tube rotate. As the pulling force of the traction rope increases, the pulling force can overcome the resistance received by the part of the active bending section provided with the spring tube and make the snake bone segments of this part rotate.

[0029] That is, the active bending section of the present invention can achieve a bending mode in which the snake bone joints at the distal end of the spring tube bend first. This bending mode is beneficial to reducing the bending radius of the active bending section. When used by a doctor during an operation, for example, when the doctor needs to bend the active bending section from the upper renal calyx to the lower renal calyx, it can not only reduce the operation difficulty, but also avoid the problem of damage to the kidney caused by too large a bending radius during the bending process of the active bending section. That is, by using the active bending section of the present invention, the technical problem in the related art that the bending radius is relatively large during the bending of the active bending section, resulting in a relatively large operation difficulty for the doctor during the operation, can be solved. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the following will briefly introduce the drawings required for use in the description of the embodiments or the prior art. Obviously, the drawings in the following description are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those of ordinary skill in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative efforts.

[0031] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of an insertion part in the related art;

[0032] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the bending path of the active bending section in the related art;

[0033] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of an endoscope according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0034] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of an insertion part according to the first embodiment of the present application;

[0035] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of an insertion part according to the second embodiment of the present application;

[0036] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of a limiting part according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0037] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of an insertion part according to the third embodiment of the present application;

[0038] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of an insertion part according to the fourth embodiment of the present application;

[0039] Figure 9 is a schematic diagram of an insertion part according to the fifth embodiment of the present application;

[0040] Figure 10 is a schematic diagram of an insertion part according to the sixth embodiment of the present application;

[0041] Figure 11 is a first schematic diagram during the assembly process of the active bending section according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0042] Figure 12 It is the second schematic diagram during the assembly process of the active bending section in the embodiment of the present application;

[0043] Figure 13 It is the third schematic diagram during the assembly process of the active bending section in the embodiment of the present application;

[0044] Figure 14 It is the schematic diagram of the insertion part in the seventh embodiment of the present application;

[0045] Figure 15 It is the schematic diagram of the bending path of the active bending section in the embodiment of the present application.

[0046] In the figure: 100, active bending section; 110, snake bone joint; 111, traction rope installation part; 112, opening; 120, riveting part; 130, spring tube; 131, first spring section; 132, second spring section; 133, third spring section; 134, fourth spring section; 135, fifth spring section; 136, sixth spring section; 137, seventh spring section; 130a, solder joint; 140, gap; 150, traction rope; 151, first fixed point; 160, instrument tube; 170, limiting part; 171, through hole; 200, passive bending section; 210, protection tube; 211, second fixed point; 300, insertion part; 400, handle. Detailed implementation manners

[0047] To make the objectives, technical solutions and advantages of the present invention clearer, the technical solutions of the present invention will be described in detail below. Apparently, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present invention, rather than all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other implementation manners obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative efforts fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0048] The terms "first", "second", etc. in the specification and claims of the present application are used to distinguish similar objects, rather than to describe a specific order or sequence. It should be understood that such used data can be interchanged under appropriate circumstances so that the embodiments of the present application can be implemented in an order other than those illustrated or described herein, and the objects distinguished by "first", "second", etc. are usually of the same category, and do not limit the number of objects. For example, the first object can be one or multiple. In addition, "and / or" in the specification and claims means at least one of the connected objects, and the character " / ", generally represents an "or" relationship between the associated objects before and after.

[0049] In various embodiments of the present application, "proximal end" and "distal end" refer to the relative distances of each component from the user in the usage environment. Specifically, 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".

[0050] Figure 1 FIG. shows a schematic diagram of the insertion portion 300 in the related art. As Figure 1 shown, the insertion portion 300 includes an active bending section 100 and a passive bending section 200. The active bending section 100 includes a plurality of snake bone joints 110, and adjacent two snake bone joints 110 are riveted by a riveting member 120. A traction rope installation portion 111 for passing the traction rope 150 is provided on the inner wall of the snake bone joint 110. The traction rope 150 passes through each snake bone joint 110, and the distal end of the traction rope 150 is fixed to the distal end of the active bending section 100. As Figure 1 shown, the distal end of the traction rope 150 has a first fixed point 151. As Figure 1 shown, in the related art, a protective tube 210 is provided outside the traction rope 150. The protective tube 210 extends from the handle 400 to the distal end of the passive bending section 200, while no protective tube 210 is provided outside the traction rope 150 located in the active bending section 100. The distal end of the protective tube 210 has a second fixed point 211.

[0051] The inventor found that when controlling the bending of the active bending section 100 through the traction rope 150, the force applied by the traction rope 150 causes the snake bone joint 110 at the proximal end of the active bending section 100 to bend first, and the snake bone joint 110 at the distal end to bend later. The bending path of the active bending section 100 is as Figure 2 shown. This bending method results in a relatively large bending radius during the bending process of the active bending section 100. When a doctor uses it during the operation, if it is necessary to bend the active bending section 100 to the renal lower calyx end, the operation difficulty is relatively large.

[0052] In the related art, the reason for the relatively large bending radius of the active bending section 100 is that: the snake bone joint 110 at the proximal end of the active bending section 100 bends before the snake bone joint 110 at the distal end. Specifically, when the snake bone joint 110 of the active bending section 100 is about to rotate, the pulling force of the traction rope 150 needs to overcome at least the friction force between the snake bone joint 110 and the riveting member 120 and the friction force between the traction rope 150 and the snake bone joint 110. Since the distal end of the traction rope 150 is fixed to the distal end of the active bending section 100, during the process of the pulling force being transmitted from the proximal end of the traction rope 150 to the distal end, this pulling force can first overcome the friction force received by the snake bone joint 110 at the proximal end of the active bending section 100, and cause the snake bone joint 110 at the proximal end of the active bending section 100 to rotate first; as the pulling force of the traction rope 150 increases, this pulling force can only overcome the friction force received by the snake bone joint 110 at the distal end of the active bending section 100, and at this time, the snake bone joint 110 at the distal end of the active bending section 100 can rotate.

[0053] To this end, the present application provides an active bending section, which includes a plurality of snake bone joints connected in sequence, and also includes a spring tube. The spring tube is fixed in the cavity, and the spring tube is sleeved outside the traction rope or the instrument tube located in the cavity. The spring tube extends at least from the last snake bone joint at the proximal end to the snake bone joint adjacent to the last snake bone joint at the proximal end. For the part of the active bending section where the spring tube is not provided, the pulling force of the traction rope needs to overcome at least the friction between the snake bone joint and the riveting part. For the part of the active bending section where the spring tube is provided, in addition to overcoming the friction between the snake bone joint and the riveting part, it is also necessary to overcome the resistance caused by the spring tube. Thus, for the part of the active bending section where the spring tube is not provided, its bending resistance is less than that of the part of the active bending section where the spring tube is provided, and a bending mode in which the distal end of the active bending section bends before the proximal end can be achieved, which is beneficial to reducing the bending radius of the active bending section.

[0054] The following combines the attached Figures 3 to 15 figures, and through specific embodiments and their application scenarios, the active bending section, the insertion part, the endoscope and the assembly method of the active bending section provided by the present application are described in detail.

[0055] The first aspect of this embodiment will describe the active bending section in detail.

[0056] The active bending section 100 of this embodiment is applied to the insertion part 300 of the endoscope. The endoscope includes an insertion part 300 and a handle 400. The insertion part 300 is used to be inserted into the cavity, and the handle 400 is provided with operating parts for the doctor to operate, as Figure 3 shown. The insertion part 300 includes an active bending section 100 and a passive bending section 200. The active bending section 100 is located at the distal end, and the passive bending section 200 is located at the proximal end, as Figure 3 shown. The insertion part 300 also includes an instrument tube 160, and the instrument tube 160 is used to insert instruments. The distal end face of the active bending section 100 is provided with structures such as a camera module. The active bending section 100 can be in a straight state or a bent state under the action of the traction rope 150.

[0057] The active bending section 100 of this embodiment includes a plurality of snake bone joints 110. Adjacent two snake bone joints 110 are riveted by a riveting part 120, as Figure 4 and Figure 5 shown. Exemplarily, adjacent two snake bone joints 110 are riveted by a riveting part 120, so that the adjacent two snake bone joints 110 can be rotationally connected. Furthermore, based on the pulling force of the traction rope 150, the snake bone joints 110 can rotate, so that the active bending section 100 can be switched from a straight state to a bent state. Exemplarily, the riveting part 120 is a rivet. Adjacent two snake bone joints 110 are connected by at least two riveting parts 120, and the riveting parts 120 are evenly distributed along the circumferential direction of the snake bone joints 110.

[0058] The active bending section 100 formed by riveting multiple snake bone joints 110 has a cavity running through in the axial direction. Structures such as a traction rope 150, an instrument tube 160, and a wire harness can be installed in the cavity.

[0059] In some embodiments, the active bending section 100 further includes a spring tube 130, as Figure 4 and Figure 5 shown. The spring tube 130 is arranged along the axial direction of the active bending section 100. The spring tube 130 is fixed inside the cavity. Exemplarily, the spring tube 130 is fixedly connected to the snake bone joint 110 or the instrument tube 160 located inside the cavity. The spring tube 130 extends from the proximal end's last snake bone joint 110 at least to the snake bone joint 110 adjacent to the proximal end's last snake bone joint 110.

[0060] In some embodiments, in the direction from the proximal end to the distal end, the active bending section includes a first snake bone joint, a second snake bone joint, a third snake bone joint... an Nth snake bone joint. For example: the spring tube 130 extends from the first snake bone joint to the second snake bone joint; or the spring tube 130 extends from the first snake bone joint to the third snake bone joint... or the spring tube 130 extends from the first snake bone joint to the Nth snake bone joint.

[0061] For the active bending section of the above technical solution, a bending mode in which the snake bone joint 110 at the distal end of the spring tube 130 bends first can be realized. This bending mode is beneficial to reducing the bending radius of the active bending section. When a doctor uses it during an operation, for example, when the doctor needs to bend the active bending section from the upper renal calyx to the lower renal calyx, it can not only reduce the operation difficulty, but also avoid the problem of damage to the kidney caused by too large a bending radius during the bending process of the active bending section. In addition, the bending radius of the active bending section can be adjusted by adjusting the setting position of the spring tube 130, without making too many improvements to the existing insertion part structure, which is easy for industrial production.

[0062] In some embodiments, the spring tube 130 extends from the proximal end's last snake bone joint 110 to the snake bone joint 110 at the distal end, as Figure 4 and Figure 5 shown. The snake bone joint 110 at the distal end mentioned here can refer to the last snake bone joint 110 at the distal end, or can refer to the snake bone joint 110 in the distal region of the active bending section 100. The distal region of the active bending section 100 can refer to the part in the middle and distal part of the active bending section 100. Figures 7 to 10 、 Figure 14 show a schematic diagram of the position of the distal end of the spring tube 130.

[0063] In some embodiments, the first elastic force generated by the bellows 130 at the proximal end is greater than the second elastic force generated by the bellows 130 at the distal end. Exemplarily, the degree of compression of the bellows 130 at the proximal end is greater than that of the bellows 130 at the distal end, so that the first elastic force generated by the bellows 130 at the proximal end can be greater than the second elastic force generated by the bellows 130 at the distal end. Or the diameter of the bellows 130 at the proximal end is greater than that of the bellows 130 at the distal end, so that the first elastic force generated by the bellows 130 at the proximal end can also be greater than the second elastic force generated by the bellows 130 at the distal end.

[0064] In some embodiments, in the initial state, the bellows 130 is in a compressed state, and the degree of compression of the bellows 130 at the proximal end is greater than that of the bellows 130 at the distal end, as Figures 7 to 10 shown. Since the degree of compression of the bellows 130 at the proximal end is greater than that of the bellows 130 at the distal end, the hardness of the bellows 130 at the proximal end is greater than that of the bellows 130 at the distal end, that is, the bending resistance at the proximal end of the proximal active bending section 100 is greater than that at the distal end. When controlling the bending of the active bending section 100 through the traction rope 150, a bending mode in which the distal end of the active bending section 100 bends before the proximal end can be achieved.

[0065] Without limitation, in the initial state, the bellows 130 can also be in an extended state, and the degree of extension of the bellows 130 at the proximal end is greater than that of the bellows 130 at the distal end, as Figure 14 shown.

[0066] In some embodiments, in the direction from the proximal end to the distal end of the active bending section 100, the elastic force generated by the bellows 130 gradually decreases, so that the bending resistance of the active bending section 100 gradually decreases in the direction from the proximal end to the distal end. When controlling the bending of the active bending section 100 through the traction rope 150, a bending mode in which the active bending section 100 gradually bends from the distal end to the proximal end can be achieved. At this time, the bending path of the active bending section 100 is as Figure 15 shown.

[0067] In some embodiments, the bellows 130 is an integral structure, as Figure 7 and Figure 8 shown. That is, from the last joint of the snake bone at the proximal end of the active bending section 100 to the snake bone joint 110 at the distal end, the bellows 130 is an integral body. The bellows 130 being an integral structure can ensure that the bellows 130 spans the gap 140 formed between two adjacent snake bone joints 110, so as to ensure that the bellows 130 causes resistance to the bending of the snake bone joint 110.

[0068] In some embodiments, the bellows 130 is a segmented structure, as Figure 9and Figure 10 As shown. That is, the bellows 130 at least includes a first bellows section 131 and a second bellows section 132. The first bellows section 131 and the second bellows section 132 are independent of each other and not connected. The first bellows section 131 is located at the proximal end of the active bending section 100, and the second bellows section 132 is located at the distal end of the active bending section 100. Without limitation, the bellows 130 may further include more bellows sections. A gap 140 is formed between two adjacent snake bone joints 110, and each bellows 130 at least spans one gap 140, so as to ensure that the bellows 130 causes resistance to the bending of the snake bone joints 110.

[0069] As Figure 9 shown, in the direction from the proximal end to the distal end, the bellows 130 successively includes a first bellows section 131, a second bellows section 132, a third bellows section 133, a fourth bellows section 134, a fifth bellows section 135, a sixth bellows section 136, and a seventh bellows section 137; the active bending section 100 successively includes a first snake bone joint, a second snake bone joint... an eighth snake bone joint. Referring again to Figure 9 , both ends of the first bellows section 131 are respectively located at the first snake bone joint and the second snake bone joint, so that the first bellows section 131 can span the gap 140 between the first snake bone joint and the second snake bone joint; similarly, both ends of the second bellows section 132 are respectively located at the second snake bone joint and the third snake bone joint... and so on, both ends of the seventh bellows section 137 are respectively located at the seventh snake bone joint and the eighth snake bone joint. It can be known that the seventh bellows section 137 can also be cancelled, and no bellows section is provided between the seventh snake bone joint and the eighth snake bone joint, and the purpose of the distal end of the active bending section 100 bending before the proximal end can also be achieved.

[0070] Exemplarily, the lengths of the first bellows section 131, the second bellows section 132, the third bellows section 133, the fourth bellows section 134, the fifth bellows section 135, the sixth bellows section 136, and the seventh bellows section 137 decrease in sequence in the natural state. When the first snake bone joint, the second snake bone joint... the eighth snake bone joint are riveted in sequence, the compression degrees of the first bellows section 131, the second bellows section 132... the seventh bellows section 137 can be gradually reduced, and then the bending mode in which the distal end of the active bending section 100 bends before the proximal end can be achieved.

[0071] In some embodiments, a traction rope 150 is installed in the cavity, as Figure 4 and Figure 5 shown. The traction rope 150 can be a steel wire rope with a small diameter and high strength. The proximal end of the traction rope 150 is connected to the handle 400 of the endoscope. Exemplarily, the traction rope 150 is connected to a lever or a knob on the handle 400, so that the traction rope 150 can be moved by operating the lever or the knob on the handle 400. The distal end of the traction rope 150 extends to the distal end of the active bending section 100, and the distal end of the traction rope 150 has a first fixed point 151, asFigures 7 to 10 as shown

[0072] Exemplarily, there are two traction ropes 150, and the two traction ropes 150 are symmetrically distributed in the circumferential direction of the insertion part 300, so that at least two-way bending of the active bending section 100 can be realized, such as Figure 4 and Figure 5 as shown. Exemplarily, there are three or four traction ropes 150, and the three or four traction ropes 150 are symmetrically distributed in the circumferential direction of the insertion part 300, so that at least four-way bending of the active bending section 100 can be realized.

[0073] In some embodiments, the spring tube 130 is sleeved on the outer periphery of the traction rope 150, such as Figure 4 as shown. Exemplarily, a spring tube 130 is sleeved outside each traction rope 150. In the solution of this embodiment, sleeving the spring tube 130 on the outer periphery of the traction rope 150 can not only enable the active bending section 100 to achieve a bending mode in which the distal end bends before the proximal end, but also the spring tube 130 can play a limiting role on the traction rope 150 to prevent the traction rope 150 from interfering with the rest of the structures in the cavity. Therefore, there is no need to form a traction rope installation part 111 on the snake bone joint 110, which helps to simplify the structure of the snake bone joint 110.

[0074] In some embodiments, the spring tube 130 is fixedly connected to the snake bone joint 110, such as Figure 7 and Figure 8 as shown. Exemplarily, the spring tube 130 and the snake bone joint 110 can be welded. Exemplarily, when the spring tube 130 is an integral structure, fixedly connecting the spring tube 130 to the snake bone joint 110 can make the first elastic force generated by the spring tube 130 at the proximal end greater than the second elastic force generated by the spring tube 130 at the distal end.

[0075] In some embodiments, a traction rope installation part 111 is provided in the cavity, and the traction rope installation part 111 protrudes from the inner wall of the snake bone joint 110, such as Figure 9 and Figure 10 as shown. Exemplarily, the traction rope installation part 111 is formed by a depression on the wall surface of the snake bone joint 110. The length of the traction rope installation part 111 in the axial direction of the snake bone joint 110 is usually less than the axial length of the snake bone joint 110. Installing the traction rope 150 in the traction rope installation part 111 can play a limiting role on the traction rope 150 to prevent the traction rope 150 from interfering with the rest of the structures in the cavity.

[0076] In some embodiments, the end of the spring tube 130 abuts against the end face of the traction rope installation part 111, and the axial movement displacement of the spring tube 130 is limited by the traction rope installation part 111, such as Figure 9 and Figure 10As shown. Exemplarily, when the bourdon tube 130 is of a split structure, the two ends of the bourdon tube 130 are limited by the end face of the traction rope mounting portion 111, which can ensure that the first elastic force generated by the bourdon tube 130 at the proximal end is greater than the second elastic force generated by the bourdon tube 130 at the distal end.

[0077] In some embodiments, even if the two ends of the bourdon tube 130 are limited by the end face of the traction rope mounting portion 111, the bourdon tube 130 can still be welded and fixed to the snake bone joint 110.

[0078] In some embodiments, an instrument tube 160 is installed in the cavity, as Figure 5 shown. The instrument tube 160 is used to insert an instrument. Specifically, the instrument tube 160 extends from the handle 400 to the distal end of the active bending section 100, so that the instrument inserted through the handle 400 can extend from the distal end face of the insertion portion 300.

[0079] In some embodiments, the bourdon tube 130 is sleeved on the outer periphery of the instrument tube 160, as Figure 5 shown. Exemplarily, the bourdon tube 130 is distributed along the axial direction of the instrument tube 160. The bourdon tube 130 can be one or multiple segmented ones. In the solution of this embodiment, the bourdon tube 130 is sleeved on the outer periphery of the instrument tube 160, and the first elastic force generated by the bourdon tube 130 at the proximal end is greater than the second elastic force generated by the bourdon tube 130 at the distal end, which can also reduce the bending radius of the active bending section 100.

[0080] In some embodiments, the bourdon tube 130 is fixedly connected to the instrument tube 160. Exemplarily, the bourdon tube 130 and the instrument tube 160 can be welded. Exemplarily, when the bourdon tube 130 is of an integral structure, the fixed connection between the bourdon tube 130 and the instrument tube 160 can make the first elastic force generated by the bourdon tube 130 at the proximal end greater than the second elastic force generated by the bourdon tube 130 at the distal end.

[0081] In some embodiments, a plurality of limiting portions 170 are arranged at intervals in the axial direction of the instrument tube 160. Exemplarily, the limiting portion 170 can be a limiting ring, as Figure 6 shown. The end of the bourdon tube 130 abuts against the limiting portion 170, and the axial movement displacement of the bourdon tube 130 is limited by the limiting portion 170. Exemplarily, through holes 171 are arranged on both sides of the limiting portion 170, and the through holes 171 can be used for the traction rope 150 to pass through, as Figure 6 shown. Exemplarily, when the bourdon tube 130 is of a split structure, the two ends of the bourdon tube 130 are limited by the end face of the limiting portion 170, which can ensure that the first elastic force generated by the bourdon tube 130 at the proximal end is greater than the second elastic force generated by the bourdon tube 130 at the distal end.

[0082] In some embodiments, even if the two ends of the bellows tube 130 are limited by the end faces of the limiting portions 170, the bellows tube 130 can be fixedly welded to the limiting portions 170.

[0083] The second aspect of this embodiment provides an assembly method for the active bending section.

[0084] The assembly method for the active bending section of any one of the above-mentioned technical solutions in the embodiments includes the following steps:

[0085] Successively rivet two adjacent snake bone joints 110.

[0086] Fix the bellows tube 130 to the snake bone joint 110 or the instrument tube 160 located in the cavity, and make the bellows tube 130 extend from the proximal most distal snake bone joint 110 at least to the snake bone joint 110 adjacent to the proximal most distal snake bone joint 110.

[0087] This embodiment does not limit the order of riveting the snake bone joints 110 and installing the bellows tube 130. Exemplarily, after riveting the snake bone joints 110, the bellows tube 130 can be installed and fixed in the cavity; or after installing and fixing the bellows tube 130 in the snake bone joint 110, two adjacent snake bone joints 110 can be riveted.

[0088] Exemplarily, this embodiment can make the first elastic force generated by the bellows tube 130 at the proximal end greater than the second elastic force generated by the bellows tube 130 at the distal end by controlling the compression degree of the bellows tube 130 at the proximal end to be greater than that of the bellows tube 130 at the distal end. Or this embodiment can also make the first elastic force generated by the bellows tube 130 at the proximal end greater than the second elastic force generated by the bellows tube 130 at the distal end by controlling the tube diameter of the bellows tube 130 at the proximal end to be greater than that of the bellows tube 130 at the distal end.

[0089] For the assembly method of the active bending section in this embodiment, when the active bending section 100 is controlled to bend by the traction rope 150, the bending mode in which the distal end of the active bending section 100 bends before the proximal end can be realized.

[0090] In some embodiments, the assembly method of the active bending section includes the following steps:

[0091] Arrange multiple snake bone joints 110 at intervals, and make the distance between two adjacent snake bone joints 110 gradually decrease in the direction from the proximal end to the distal end, such as Figure 11 and Figure 12 as shown.

[0092] Install the bellows tube 130 in the cavity, and fix the bellows tube 130 to the snake bone joint 110 or the instrument tube 160 in the cavity. Figure 11 and Figure 12Schematic diagrams showing the fixation of one bellows 130 and two bellows 130 in the cavity are respectively shown. Exemplarily, the snake bone segment 110 has an opening 112, through which the welding between the bellows 130 and the snake bone segment 110 can be facilitated, as Figure 4 shown. As Figures 11 to 13 shown, there is a welding point 130a between the bellows 130 and the snake bone segment 110.

[0093] Adjacent two snake bone segments 110 are riveted in sequence. Figure 13 A schematic diagram showing the riveting of the two snake bone segments 110 at the distal end is shown.

[0094] The above solution of this embodiment is applicable to both the integral structure bellows 130 and the segmented structure bellows 130.

[0095] In the above solution of this embodiment, in the direction from the proximal end to the distal end, the distance between adjacent two snake bone segments 110 gradually decreases. After the bellows 130 is installed in the cavity, the length between adjacent two snake bone segments 110 can gradually decrease in the direction from the proximal end to the distal end; when adjacent two snake bone segments 110 are riveted, the compression degree between adjacent two snake bone segments 110 can gradually decrease in the direction from the proximal end to the distal end, so that after the bellows 130 is fixedly installed in the cavity, the first elastic force generated by the bellows 130 at the proximal end is greater than the second elastic force generated by the bellows 130 at the distal end.

[0096] In the above solution of this embodiment, there are advantages of simple assembly of the active bending section and easy control of the elastic forces generated by the bellows 130 at the proximal end and the distal end of the active bending section 100.

[0097] In some embodiments, when the bellows 130 is of a segmented structure, the bellows 130 can also be installed in a segmented manner. Exemplarily, the assembly method of the active bending section includes the following steps:

[0098] Install the first spring section 131 in the first snake bone segment and the second snake bone segment, and fixedly connect the first spring section 131 with the first snake bone segment and the second snake bone segment, and then rivet the first snake bone segment and the second snake bone segment.

[0099] Install the second spring section 132 in the second snake bone segment and the third snake bone segment, and fixedly connect the second spring section 132 with the second snake bone segment and the third snake bone segment, and then rivet the second snake bone segment and the third snake bone segment.

[0100] And so on, until all the spring sections and all the snake bone segments are riveted.

[0101] The third aspect of this embodiment details the insertion part.

[0102] In this embodiment, the insertion portion 300 includes an active bending section 100 and a passive bending section 200, and the active bending section 100 and the passive bending section 200 are connected, as Figure 3 shown. In some embodiments, the active bending section 100 is the active bending section of any one of the technical solutions in this embodiment. The structure of the passive bending section 200 may be the same as that of the prior art and will not be described in detail here.

[0103] The insertion portion 300 of this embodiment includes the active bending section 100 of any one of the technical solutions in this embodiment, which is not only beneficial to reducing the area swept by the distal end during the bending process of the active bending section 100. When used by a doctor during an operation, it can reduce the operation difficulty and also reduce the probability of tissue damage.

[0104] The fourth aspect of this embodiment will be described in detail for the endoscope.

[0105] The endoscope of this embodiment includes an insertion portion 300 and a handle 400, and the insertion portion 300 and the handle 400 are connected, as Figure 3 shown. In some embodiments, the insertion portion 300 is the insertion portion of any one of the technical solutions in this embodiment. The handle 400 may have the structure of the prior art and will not be described in detail here.

[0106] The endoscope system of this embodiment may be a digestive endoscope, a bronchoscope, a pyeloscope, an esophagoscope, a gastroscope, a colonoscope, an otoscope, a nasal endoscope, an oral endoscope, a laryngoscope, a vaginoscope, a laparoscope, an arthroscope, etc. This embodiment does not specifically limit the types of endoscope systems.

[0107] The endoscope of this embodiment has the insertion portion 300 of any one of the technical solutions in this embodiment, which can reduce the operation difficulty when used by a doctor during an operation.

[0108] It should be noted that in this article, the terms "include", "comprise" or any other variant thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, so that a process, method, article or device including a series of elements not only includes those elements, but also includes other elements not expressly listed, or further includes elements inherent to such process, method, article or device. Without further limitation, an element defined by the statement "including one..." does not exclude the existence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article or device including that element.

[0109] In addition, it should be noted that the scope of the methods and apparatuses in the embodiments of the present application is not limited to performing functions in the order shown or discussed, and may also include performing functions in a substantially simultaneous manner or in a reverse order according to the functions involved. For example, the described methods may be performed in an order different from that described, and various steps may also be added, omitted, or combined. Additionally, the features described with reference to certain examples may be combined in other examples.

[0110] As described above, the above are only specific embodiments of the present invention, but the protection scope of the present invention is not limited thereto. Any person skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed by the present invention can easily think of changes or substitutions, which should all be covered within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. An active bending section, applied to an insertion portion (300) of an endoscope, characterized in that: The active bending section comprises a plurality of snake bone nodes (110), two adjacent snake bone nodes (110) are connected to each other, and the active bending section forms a cavity that penetrates in the axial direction. The active bending section further comprises a spring tube (130), the spring tube (130) being fixed in the cavity, and the spring tube (130) being sleeved outside a traction rope (150) or an instrument tube (160) located in the cavity, and the spring tube (130) extending from the proximal terminal snake bone segment (110) at least to the snake bone segment (110) adjacent to the proximal terminal snake bone segment (110); When the spring tube (130) is sleeved on the outer periphery of the traction rope (150), the spring tube (130) is fixedly connected to the snake bone segment (110); or a traction rope installation portion (111) is provided in the cavity, the traction rope installation portion (111) protrudes from the inner wall of the snake bone segment (110), the end of the spring tube (130) abuts against the end surface of the traction rope installation portion (111), and the axial movement displacement of the spring tube (130) is limited by the traction rope installation portion (111); When the spring tube (130) is sleeved on the outer circumference of the instrument tube (160), the spring tube (130) is fixedly connected to the instrument tube (160); or a plurality of limiting portions (170) are arranged at intervals in the axial direction of the instrument tube (160), the end of the spring tube (130) abuts against the limiting portion (170), and the axial movement displacement of the spring tube (130) is limited by the limiting portion (170); The degree of compression of the spring tube (130) at the proximal end is greater than that of the spring tube (130) at the distal end, and the first elastic force generated by the spring tube (130) at the proximal end is greater than the second elastic force generated by the spring tube (130) at the distal end.

2. The active bending section according to claim 1, characterized in that: The spring tube (130) extends from the proximal end snake bone segment (110) to the distal snake bone segment (110).

3. The active bending section according to claim 2, characterized in that: From the proximal end to the distal end, the elastic force generated by the spring tube (130) gradually decreases.

4. The active bending section according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The spring tube (130) is an integrated structure; or The spring tube (130) is a segmented structure, a gap (140) is formed between two adjacent snake bone nodes (110), and each spring tube (130) spans at least one of the gaps (140).

5. A method for assembling an active bending segment according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The steps include: Riveting two adjacent snake bone nodes (110) in sequence; The spring tube (130) is fixed in the cavity and sleeved on the traction rope (150) or the instrument tube (160) located in the cavity, wherein the spring tube (130) extends from the proximal terminal snake bone segment (110) at least to the snake bone segment (110) adjacent to the proximal terminal snake bone segment (110).

6. The method for assembling the active bending section according to claim 5, characterized in that: The steps include: Arrange the plurality of snake bone nodes (110) at intervals, and make the distance between two adjacent snake bone nodes (110) gradually decrease from the proximal end to the distal end; Installing a spring tube (130) in the cavity, and fixedly connecting the spring tube (130) to the snake bone segment (110) or the instrument tube (160) in the cavity; Two adjacent snake bone joints (110) are riveted in sequence.

7. An insertion portion, characterized in that: The invention comprises an active bending segment (100) and a passive bending segment (200), wherein the active bending segment (100) and the passive bending segment (200) are connected, wherein the active bending segment (100) is the active bending segment according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

8. An endoscope, characterized in that: The invention comprises an insertion part (300) and a handle (400), wherein the insertion part (300) and the handle (400) are connected, wherein the insertion part (300) is the insertion part according to claim 7.

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