An endoscope and its curved section

Abstract

This application provides an endoscope and its curved section, relating to the field of endoscope technology. The curved section includes multiple snake-bone units arranged sequentially end-to-end along its length. Each snake-bone unit includes a snake-bone body, a male connector, and a female connector. The male and female connectors are respectively located at both ends of the snake-bone body along its length. The male connector of one snake-bone unit is rotatably connected to the female connector of an adjacent snake-bone unit. The male connector has a first conical surface, and the female connector has a second conical surface. The first and second conical surfaces mate. On a first cross-section of the curved section perpendicular to its length, the extension lines of the first and second conical surfaces do not intersect the center of the first cross-section. Because the two mating surfaces do not intersect the center of the cross-section perpendicular to the length, the radial interference of the two mating surfaces increases, which helps to improve the lateral bending strength of the curved section, thereby avoiding lateral disengagement of the curved section and improving its service life.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of endoscope technology, and more specifically to an endoscope and its curved portion. Background Technology

[0002] Endoscopes are widely used in minimally invasive or non-invasive medical procedures, becoming an indispensable part of modern medicine. An endoscope consists of a tip, a curved section, an insertion section, and a manipulator. The snake-like structure of the curved section is manipulated to bend and steer, allowing it to enter the target area of ​​the body. Therefore, the snake-like structure is a crucial component of the curved section of the endoscope, and its structure directly affects the safety and effectiveness of the endoscope.

[0003] Currently, there are two main types of metal serpentine structures: The first is the riveted structure, where ear plates are installed at both ends of the serpentine unit, with through holes in the ear plates. Adjacent serpentine units are riveted together, and the rivets act as a rotation axis, allowing relative rotation between adjacent units. This type has a complex assembly and manufacturing process, high production costs, and smaller internal space for the same outer diameter. The second type is the integrated cut metal serpentine, which is made by cutting a single stainless steel tube concentrically. It typically includes a male and a female connector. The male connector includes an arc portion with a central angle greater than 180°, and the female connector has a recess that matches the male connector. The rotation of the male connector relative to the female connector causes the serpentine tube to bend and change shape. This process is simple, has high production efficiency, and low cost. Compared to the riveted structure, the integrated cut metal serpentine does not have ear plates, thus not occupying internal space and effectively reducing the outer diameter of the endoscope. Therefore, considering factors such as cost and endoscope size, the integrated cut metal serpentine is widely used. However, this type of snake-bone structure often relies on the interference fit of the male and female connectors to ensure its lateral strength. When the pipe wall thickness is limited, the radial interference fit of the male and female connectors is limited, resulting in poor strength perpendicular to the bending direction. Lateral disengagement can easily occur between individual snake-bone units, posing a certain risk, especially in clinical applications where instrument clamping is frequently used. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This application provides an endoscope and its curved portion, which can effectively improve the lateral bending strength of the curved portion to solve the problem of lateral disengagement.

[0005] This application provides a curved section of an endoscope, including a plurality of snake-bone units arranged sequentially end to end along its length;

[0006] The snake bone unit includes a snake bone body, a male connector and a female connector, wherein the male connector and the female connector are respectively disposed at both ends of the snake bone body along the length direction;

[0007] The male connector of one of the snake-bone units is rotatably connected to the female connector of the adjacent snake-bone unit; the male connector is provided with a first conical surface, and the female connector is provided with a second conical surface, the first conical surface and the second conical surface are engaged;

[0008] The curved portion has a first cross section perpendicular to its length direction, on which the extension lines of the first conical surface and the second conical surface do not intersect the center of the first cross section.

[0009] In some alternative embodiments, the male connector and the female connector cooperate to form a rotating portion, the curved portion having a second cross section perpendicular to its width direction and passing through the central axis of the rotating portion, on the second cross section, the extensions of the first conical surface and the second conical surface form an angle θ1 with the central axis of the rotating portion.

[0010] In some alternative embodiments, the included angle θ1 is greater than 0°.

[0011] In some alternative embodiments, a gap exists between the first conical surface and the second conical surface to allow the first conical surface and the second conical surface to rotate about the central axis of the rotating part.

[0012] In some optional embodiments, the male connector includes a first protrusion that protrudes from the snake-bone body, and the female connector includes a first recess that is recessed from the snake-bone body; the first conical surface is formed on the outer peripheral wall of the first protrusion, and the second conical surface is formed on the inner peripheral wall of the first recess.

[0013] In some optional embodiments, the first conical surface includes a plurality of first conical portions arranged at intervals or continuously, the plurality of first conical portions being arranged around the outer peripheral wall of the first protrusion; the second conical surface includes a plurality of second conical portions arranged at intervals or continuously, the plurality of second conical portions being arranged around the inner peripheral wall of the first recess.

[0014] In some optional embodiments, the male connector further includes a second recess on both sides of the first protrusion, and the female connector further includes a second protrusion on both sides of the first recess. The second protrusion and the snake-bone body enclose the first recess. A third conical surface is provided on the inner peripheral wall of the second recess, and a fourth conical surface is provided on the outer peripheral wall of the second protrusion. The third and fourth conical surfaces mate. On the first cross-section, the extension lines of the third and fourth conical surfaces do not intersect the center of the first cross-section. There is a gap between the third and fourth conical surfaces so that the third and fourth conical surfaces can rotate around the central axis of the rotating part.

[0015] In some optional embodiments, the protruding directions of the first protrusion and the second protrusion relative to the snake bone body, and the concave directions of the first recess and the second recess relative to the snake bone body, both form an angle greater than 0° with the central axis of the snake bone unit. On the second cross section, the extension lines of the third cone and the fourth cone form an angle θ2 with the central axis of the rotating part.

[0016] In some alternative embodiments, the curved portion of the endoscope is integrally cut from a hollow tube.

[0017] This application also provides an endoscope including the curved portion as described above.

[0018] The curved portion of the endoscope according to the above embodiment includes multiple snake-bone units arranged sequentially end-to-end along its length. Each snake-bone unit includes a snake-bone body, a male connector, and a female connector. The male and female connectors are respectively located at both ends of the snake-bone body along its length. The male connector of one snake-bone unit is rotatably connected to the female connector of an adjacent snake-bone unit. The male connector has a first conical surface, and the female connector has a second conical surface. The first and second conical surfaces cooperate. On a first cross-section of the curved portion perpendicular to its length, the extension lines of the first and second conical surfaces do not intersect the center of the first cross-section, thereby increasing the radial interference of the two conical mating surfaces. This helps to improve the lateral bending strength of the curved portion, thus avoiding the phenomenon of lateral disengagement of the curved portion in clinical application scenarios where instruments are frequently clamped, and improving the service life of the curved portion. Attached Figure Description

[0019] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the bent portion at one angle in one embodiment;

[0020] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the bending of the curved portion in one embodiment;

[0021] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the curved portion at another angle in one embodiment;

[0022] Figure 4a This is a schematic diagram of the curved section parallel to the width direction; Figure 4b This is a schematic diagram of the curved section parallel to the height direction. Figure 4c for Figure 4a Schematic diagram of the cross-sectional structure of A1-A1. Figure 4d This is a schematic diagram of the bending process of the curved section;

[0023] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the curved portion in one embodiment, parallel to the height direction;

[0024] Figure 6for Figure 5 Schematic diagram of the cross-sectional structure of AA;

[0025] Figure 7 for Figure 5 Schematic diagram of the cross-sectional structure of BB;

[0026] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of cutting the CC section on BB;

[0027] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the cross-sectional structure of CC;

[0028] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of the curved portion in another embodiment;

[0029] Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram of the cross-sectional structure of the curved portion BB in another embodiment.

[0030] Wherein: 1. Snake bone unit; 11. Snake bone body; 12. Male connector; 121. First protrusion; 1211. First conical surface; 122. Second recess; 1221. Third conical surface; 13. Female connector; 131. First recess; 1311. Second conical surface; 132. Second protrusion; 1321. Fourth conical surface; 14. Rotating part; X, length direction; Y, width direction; Z, height direction; OO, central axis of the curved part; E, central axis of the rotating part. Detailed Implementation

[0031] The present application will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments. Similar elements in different embodiments are referred to by related similar element reference numerals. In the following embodiments, many details are described to facilitate a better understanding of the present application. However, those skilled in the art will readily recognize that some features may be omitted in different situations, or may be replaced by other elements, materials, or methods. In some cases, certain operations related to the present application are not shown or described in the specification. This is to avoid obscuring the core parts of the present application with excessive description. For those skilled in the art, detailed description of these related operations is not necessary; they can fully understand the related operations based on the description in the specification and general technical knowledge in the art.

[0032] Furthermore, the features, operations, or characteristics described in the specification can be combined in any suitable manner to form various embodiments, and the operational steps involved in each embodiment can also be rearranged or adjusted in a manner that is obvious to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the specification and drawings are only for clearly describing a particular embodiment and do not imply that they represent the necessary components and / or order.

[0033] The serial numbers assigned to components in this document, such as "first" and "second," are used only to distinguish the described objects and have no sequential or technical meaning. The terms "connection" and "linkage" used in this application, unless otherwise specified, include both direct and indirect connections (linkages).

[0034] It should be noted that when a component is said to be "fixed to" another component, it can be directly attached to the other component or there may be an intervening component. When a component is said to be "connected to" another component, it can be directly connected to the other component or there may be an intervening component. The terms "vertical," "horizontal," "left," "right," and similar expressions used in this document are for illustrative purposes only.

[0035] In this application, the terms "upper," "lower," "left," "right," "front," "rear," "top," "bottom," "inner," "outer," "middle," "vertical," "horizontal," "lateral," and "longitudinal" indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. These terms are primarily for the purpose of better describing this application and its embodiments, and are not intended to limit the indicated devices, elements, or components to having a specific orientation, or to be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Furthermore, some of the above terms may be used to indicate other meanings besides orientation or positional relationship; for example, the term "upper" may also be used in some cases to indicate a certain dependency or connection relationship. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of these terms in this application according to the specific circumstances.

[0036] Furthermore, the terms "installation," "setup," "equipped with," "connection," and "linked" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral structure; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium, or an internal connection between two devices, components, or parts. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of these terms in this application based on the specific circumstances.

[0037] To more clearly describe the structure of this application, the terms "proximal" and "distal" are used as directional terms. "Proximal" means the end of the structure that is closer to the operator when in use, and "distal" means the end of the structure that is farther from the operator when in use, that is, the end that is closer to the patient or inserted into the patient's body.

[0038] This application provides an endoscope, which can be a laparoscope, pyeloscope, etc. The endoscope includes an operating handle (not shown in the figure), an insertion tube, and a tip assembly (not shown in the figure), arranged sequentially from proximal to distal. The insertion tube is located at the proximal end of the tip assembly, and the operating handle is located at the proximal end of the insertion tube. At least a portion of the insertion tube is inserted into or fixed to the operating handle. The insertion tube can be inserted to a target location (e.g., a lesion location). The operating handle can control the movement and rotation of the insertion tube and the tip assembly to adjust their position. The tip assembly includes a camera module and an illumination module. Through the cooperation of the camera module and the illumination module, a clear image of the target location can be acquired for the operator or patient to view directly. The insertion tube includes a bend that can be bent to different angles to adapt to different cavities within the human body, thereby smoothly moving the tip assembly to the target location to facilitate observation, detection, or diagnosis.

[0039] Please see Figures 1 to 3 , Figures 5 to 11 The curved section has a proximal end and a distal end, which are aligned with the proximal and distal ends of the endoscope. It has a length direction X extending from the proximal end to the distal end, as well as a width direction Y and a height direction Z. The length direction X, width direction Y, and height direction Z are perpendicular to each other. The curved section includes multiple snake-bone units 1 arranged sequentially end to end along its length direction X. Each snake-bone unit 1 includes a snake-bone body 11, a male connector 12, and a female connector 13. The male connector 12 and the female connector 13 are respectively located at both ends of the snake-bone body 11 along the length direction X, that is, at the distal end and proximal end of the snake-bone body 11. The male connector 12 of one snake-bone unit 1 is rotatably connected to the female connector 13 of an adjacent snake-bone unit 1, so that the curved section can be bent to different angles. The male connector 12 is provided with a first conical surface 1211, and the female connector 13 is provided with a second conical surface 1311. The first conical surface 1211 and the second conical surface 1311 are fitted together. The curved part has a first cross section AA in a direction perpendicular to its length X. On the first cross section AA, the extension lines of the first conical surface 1211 and the second conical surface 1311 do not intersect with the center of the first cross section AA (the point where the central axis OO of the curved part intersects with the cross section AA). The male connector 12 and the female connector 13 are fitted together to form a rotating part 14.

[0040] It is understandable that on the first section AA, there is a radial interference W between the mating surfaces of two adjacent snake bone units 1. The lateral bending strength of the bent part is related to the radial interference W. Under the condition that the structure remains unchanged, the larger the radial interference W is, the better the lateral bending strength of the bent part is.

[0041] Please see Figures 4a to 4dIn a conventional curved section, on the first cross-section A1-A1 perpendicular to the length direction X of the curved section, the extension lines L1 of the mating surfaces of two adjacent snake-bone units 1 both pass through the center of the first cross-section A1-A1, and the angle between them and the centerline of the cross-section is α (e.g., ...). Figure 4c As shown in the figure, its radial interference W1 is small, and the bending strength of the bent part is low.

[0042] In the curved section, the radial interference W is related to the diameter H of the rotating section 14, the outer diameter D of the serpentine unit 1 (which is a hollow tube), and the wall thickness T of the serpentine unit 1. The diameter H of the rotating section 14 is related to the outer diameter D of the serpentine unit 1. When the outer diameter D of the serpentine unit 1 is constant, if the diameter H of the rotating section 14 is too large, when relative rotation occurs between the serpentine units 1, the side of the serpentine unit 1 protruding beyond the outer arc L of the serpentine skeleton will be too large (e.g., Figure 4d As shown, there is a risk of puncturing the polymer tubing wrapped around the outer surface of the bend. The outer diameter D of the snake-bone unit 1 is often limited by the outer diameter of the endoscope insertion part, and the wall thickness T of the snake-bone unit 1 is limited by the contents of the endoscope insertion part. Therefore, the radial interference W cannot be adjusted by adjusting the diameter H of the rotating part 14, the outer diameter D of the snake-bone unit 1, and the wall thickness T of the snake-bone unit 1.

[0043] This application creatively adjusts the mating surface to increase the radial interference W by adjusting the inclination angle of the mating surface, thereby solving the problem of bending strength.

[0044] Please see Figure 6 In this application, the extensions of the first conical surface 1211 and the second conical surface 1311 are L2 and L3, respectively. The radial interference of the conical surface fit is W2, and the radial thickness is T2. The radial width of the conventional curved part is T1. There is an included angle γ between the extensions of the two mating surfaces L1. Since it is small (related to the kerf width M, usually M≤0.03mm), it can be ignored. Let the extension L1 form an angle β with the extension L2 of the first conical surface 1211 in this application. Then W1≈sinα*T1, W2≈sin(α+β)*T2, and T2 is slightly larger than T1. For ease of analysis, T2=T1. The difference in radial interference between the two is △W=W2-W1, where T1 is equal to the wall thickness T of the snake bone body 11. Taking a snake bone with an outer diameter of Ф5mm and a wall thickness of 0.5mm as an example, according to practical experience, M≈0.025mm. Taking the cross section perpendicular to the length direction X of the bend as an example, assuming α is 22°, W1≈sinα*T1≈sin(22°)*0.5≈0.187mm. If β is designed to be 5°, W2≈sin(α+β)*T2≈sin(α+β)*T1, therefore W2≈sin(27°)*0.5=0.227mm, △W / W1≈(0.227-0.187) / 0.187≈0.214.

[0045] Therefore, unlike traditional bends, the male connector 12 of the bend in this application has a first conical surface 1211 and the female connector 13 has a second conical surface 1311. On the first cross section AA perpendicular to the length direction X of the bend, the extension lines of the first conical surface 1211 and the second conical surface 1311 do not intersect the center of the first cross section AA. This can increase the radial interference of the mating surface to W, which helps to improve the lateral bending strength of the bend. This avoids the phenomenon of lateral disengagement of the bend in clinical application scenarios where instruments are frequently clamped, and improves the service life of the bend.

[0046] Furthermore, the curved portion has a second cross section BB on the axis E of the rotating portion 14 perpendicular to its width direction, and a third cross section CC on the axis of its height direction.

[0047] Please see Figure 7 On the second cross-section BB, the extensions of the first conical surface 1211 and the second conical surface 1311 form an angle θ1 with the central axis E of the rotating part 14. That is, the extensions L2 and L3 of the first conical surface 1211 and the second conical surface 1311 are not parallel to the central axis E of the rotating part 14. Unlike the conventional bending part where the extension L1 is parallel to the central axis E of the rotating part 14 and perpendicular to the central axis OO on the second cross-section BB, this design of the present application makes the bending part on the second cross-section BB also have a certain radial interference F, F=T*tan(θ1)-M, θ1=β (θ1=α+β, where α=0°), F=0.5*tan(8°)-0.025≈0.045mm. Obviously, with the wall thickness of the snake bone body 11 unchanged, the radial interference F of the conical fit between the snake bone units 1 can be increased by adjusting the β angle or the θ1 angle, so as to further improve the lateral bending strength of the bending part.

[0048] In some optional embodiments, θ1 is greater than 0°, and the value of θ1 is an acute angle greater than 0° and less than 90°. For example, θ1 can be 5°, 10°, 30°, 45° or other acute angle values.

[0049] In some alternative embodiments, there is a gap between the first conical surface 1211 and the second conical surface 1311, providing room for the female connector 13 and the male connector 12 to rotate, thereby helping the first conical surface 1211 and the second conical surface 1311 to rotate around the central axis E of the rotating part 14, and also increasing the bending angle of the bending part to accommodate cavities with a large degree of bending.

[0050] In some alternative embodiments, the male connector 12 includes a first protrusion 121 that protrudes from the snake-bone body 11, and the female connector 13 includes a first recess 131 that is recessed from the snake-bone body 11; a first conical surface 1211 is formed on the outer peripheral wall of the first protrusion 121, and a second conical surface 1311 is formed on the inner peripheral wall of the first recess 131.

[0051] In some optional embodiments, the first conical surface 1211 includes a plurality of spaced or continuously arranged first conical portions, which surround the outer peripheral wall of the first protrusion 121. That is, the conical surface can be partially provided on the outer peripheral wall of the first protrusion 121, while other areas can be conventional mating surface structures. Of course, the entire outer peripheral wall can also be provided as a conical surface. The second conical surface 1311 includes a plurality of spaced or continuously arranged second conical portions, which surround the inner peripheral wall of the first recess 131. The arrangement of the second conical surface 1311 is the same as that of the first conical surface 1211, and the conical surface can be provided entirely or partially. In this embodiment, the structures of the first conical surface 1211 and the second conical surface 1311 can be completely the same or different. That is, one of them is partially provided with a conical surface, and the other is entirely provided with a conical surface. As long as the first conical surface 1211 and the second conical surface 1311 can cooperate with each other, and from the overall perspective, on the first cross section AA perpendicular to the length direction X of the curved portion, the extension lines of the first conical surface 1211 and the second conical surface 1311 do not intersect with the center of the first cross section AA.

[0052] In some optional embodiments, the male connector 12 further includes a second recess 122 disposed on both sides of the first protrusion 121, and the female connector 13 further includes a second protrusion 132 disposed on both sides of the first recess 131. The second protrusion 132 and the snake-bone body 11 enclose the first recess 131. A third conical surface 1221 is provided on the inner peripheral wall of the second recess 122, and a fourth conical surface 1321 is provided on the outer peripheral wall of the second protrusion 132. The third conical surface 1221 and the fourth conical surface 1321 cooperate to increase the contact area between the male connector 12 and the female connector 13, thereby improving the connection stability of the bent portion.

[0053] In some optional embodiments, on the first section AA perpendicular to the length direction X of the bend, the extension lines of the third cone surface 1221 and the fourth cone surface 1321 do not intersect the center of the first section AA (the point where the central axis OO of the bend intersects the section AA), and there is a gap between the third cone surface 1221 and the fourth cone surface 1321 so that the third cone surface 1221 and the fourth cone surface 1321 can rotate about the central axis E of the rotating part 14.

[0054] Please continue reading. Figure 3In some embodiments, the first protrusion 121 protrudes relative to the snake bone body 11 along the length direction X, and the second recess 122 is also recessed relative to the snake bone body 11 along the length direction X. The first recess 131 is recessed relative to the snake bone body 11 along the length direction X, and the second protrusion 132 is also protruding relative to the snake bone body 11 along the length direction X. That is, the mating direction of the male connector 12 and the female connector 13 is consistent with the length direction X of the bent portion.

[0055] Of course, please see Figure 10 In other embodiments, the first protrusion 121 and the second protrusion 132, relative to the protruding direction of the snake bone body 11, and the first recess 131 and the second recess 122, relative to the concave direction of the snake bone body 11, both form an angle σ greater than 0° with the central axis of the snake bone unit 11 (parallel to the central axis OO of the bent portion when not bent). For example, the first protrusion 121 and the second protrusion 132, relative to the protruding direction of the snake bone body 11, and the first recess 131 and the second recess 122, relative to the concave direction of the snake bone body 11, can both be parallel to the width direction Y or the height direction Z, that is, forming a 90° angle with the central axis of the snake bone unit 11. In this embodiment, please refer to... Figure 11 On the second section BB, the extension lines L4 and L5 of the third cone surface 1221 and the fourth cone surface 1321 form an angle θ2 with the central axis E of the rotating part 14. Through the above-mentioned matching design of the third cone surface 1221 and the fourth cone surface 1321, the principle is the same as that of the first cone surface 1211 and the second cone surface 1311. The non-intersecting design and the design of the angle θ2 can help increase the radial interference, thereby improving the lateral bending strength of the bending part.

[0056] In some alternative embodiments, the curved portion of the endoscope is integrally cut from a hollow tube. During cutting, the cutting equipment is angled to the radial and axial directions of the hollow tube, which helps to quickly form the first conical surface 1211, the second conical surface 1311, the third conical surface 1221, and the fourth conical surface 1321, thereby improving the integrity and consistency of the curved portion, and also facilitating mass production, increasing the production efficiency and yield of the curved portion.

[0057] The second embodiment of this application provides the curved portion mentioned above, the structure of which has been described in detail above and will not be repeated here.

[0058] The above examples illustrate this application only to aid understanding and are not intended to limit its scope. Those skilled in the art to which this application pertains can make various simple deductions, modifications, or substitutions based on the ideas presented.

Claims

1. A curved portion of an endoscope, characterized in that, It includes multiple snake-bone units arranged sequentially end to end along its length; The snake bone unit includes a snake bone body, a male connector and a female connector, wherein the male connector and the female connector are respectively disposed at both ends of the snake bone body along the length direction; The male connector of one of the snake-bone units is rotatably connected to the female connector of the adjacent snake-bone unit; the male connector is provided with a first conical surface, and the female connector is provided with a second conical surface, the first conical surface and the second conical surface are engaged; The curved portion has a first cross section perpendicular to its length direction, on which the extension lines of the first conical surface and the second conical surface do not intersect the center of the first cross section.

2. The curved portion of the endoscope according to claim 1, characterized in that, The male connector and the female connector cooperate to form a rotating part. The curved part has a second cross section on the central axis of the rotating part, which is perpendicular to its width direction. On the second cross section, the extensions of the first conical surface and the second conical surface form an angle θ1 with the central axis of the rotating part.

3. The curved portion of the endoscope according to claim 2, characterized in that, The included angle θ1 is greater than 0°.

4. The curved portion of the endoscope according to claim 2, characterized in that, There is a gap between the first conical surface and the second conical surface, so that the first conical surface and the second conical surface can rotate about the central axis of the rotating part.

5. The curved portion of the endoscope according to claim 2, characterized in that, The male connector includes a first protrusion that protrudes from the snake-bone body, and the female connector includes a first recess that is recessed from the snake-bone body; the first conical surface is formed on the outer peripheral wall of the first protrusion, and the second conical surface is formed on the inner peripheral wall of the first recess.

6. The curved portion of the endoscope according to claim 5, characterized in that, The first conical surface includes a plurality of first conical portions arranged at intervals or continuously, the plurality of first conical portions being arranged around the outer peripheral wall of the first protrusion; the second conical surface includes a plurality of second conical portions arranged at intervals or continuously, the plurality of second conical portions being arranged around the inner peripheral wall of the first recess.

7. The curved portion of the endoscope according to claim 5, characterized in that, The male connector further includes a second recess on both sides of the first protrusion, and the female connector further includes a second protrusion on both sides of the first recess. The second protrusion and the snake bone body enclose the first recess. A third conical surface is provided on the inner peripheral wall of the second recess, and a fourth conical surface is provided on the outer peripheral wall of the second protrusion. The third conical surface and the fourth conical surface cooperate. On the first cross-section, the extension lines of the third conical surface and the fourth conical surface do not intersect the center of the first cross-section. There is a gap between the third conical surface and the fourth conical surface so that the third conical surface and the fourth conical surface can rotate around the central axis of the rotating part.

8. The curved portion of the endoscope according to claim 7, characterized in that, The protruding directions of the first protrusion and the second protrusion relative to the snake bone body, and the concave directions of the first depression and the second depression relative to the snake bone body, all form an angle greater than 0° with the central axis of the snake bone unit. On the second cross section, the extension lines of the third cone surface and the fourth cone surface form an angle θ2 with the central axis of the rotating part.

9. The curved portion of the endoscope according to claim 1, characterized in that, The curved section of the endoscope is integrally cut from a hollow tube.

10. An endoscope, characterized in that, Includes the curved portion of the endoscope as described in any one of claims 1-9.

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