Endoscope

Abstract

An endoscope (20) is provided with: an endoscope insertion section (21) provided with a bending section (4); operation members (6, 7) that are provided to an operation section (22) to which the endoscope insertion section (21) is connected, and that perform a bending operation on the bending section (4); pulleys (31, 32) that are provided inside the operation section (22), have an outer diameter larger than the inner diameter of the endoscope insertion section, and wind wires (33-36) connected to the bending section (4); and a wire guard (40) disposed so as to cover a prescribed range of the outer peripheral portions of the pulleys (31, 32), the wire guard (40) having a guide wall (45) disposed so as to extend within a range of a radius (R) of the pulleys (31, 32) from a contact point position (P) at which the wire and the pulleys (31, 32) come into contact with each other in the direction of the long axis (X) of the operation unit (22).

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of application number "202080099066.4", filed on "March 30, 2020", and entitled "Endoscope". Technical Field

[0002] The present invention relates to an endoscope operating part having a curved portion provided in the insertion part and an endoscope. Background Technology

[0003] As is well known, endoscopes are widely used for observation and treatment within the body (body cavities) of organisms, as well as for inspection and repair of industrial equipment. Such endoscopes have a long insertion section for insertion into the body cavity, abdominal cavity, or tubing of the subject. To improve insertion into the subject, the insertion section of such endoscopes is known to have a curved portion at its tip.

[0004] The bending section provided in the insertion part is driven by the bending operation line, and the bending amount is variablely operated in a predetermined direction. The bending operation line is pulled and relaxed according to the operation amount of the bending operation lever provided in the operation part.

[0005] For example, Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2009-165722 discloses an endoscope structure in which a belt engaged with a sprocket in the operating section is connected to a bending operation line, and the sprocket is rotated by bending operation to drive the bending operation line.

[0006] This conventional endoscope eliminates the loose roller tensioner and smooth surface contact configuration of the belt and bending operation line located in the operating section, eliminates the breakage of the linear components wound on the winding wheel, and has a simpler structure and lighter weight compared to chains, thus achieving good responsiveness in bending operations.

[0007] Furthermore, for example, the structure of an endoscope disclosed in International Publication WO2018 / 034021 is as follows: a curved line extending from a thin insertion part is connected to a pulley with a diameter larger than that of the insertion part, for bending operations.

[0008] In this conventional endoscope, switching the curved section to a long curved state and a short curved state improves the insertion capability into the deep, complex body cavities, and improving operability by maintaining the short curved state for observation and treatment.

[0009] However, in structures like conventional endoscopes where the curved operating line is pulled and relaxed to drive the bending of the insertion section, the curved operating line on the relaxation side, opposite to the pulling side, becomes relaxed within the operating section. Thus, the relaxed line, guided towards the pulled curved operating line side, gets caught in a rotating pulley, potentially becoming kinked due to bending, twisting, or other factors, leading to breakage.

[0010] Therefore, the present invention was made in view of the above circumstances, and its object is to provide an endoscope with a simple construction that prevents the bending operation line used to operate the bending section from being caught in the rotating pulley and breaking. Summary of the Invention

[0011] Methods for solving problems

[0012] An endoscope according to one aspect of the present invention comprises: an endoscope insertion portion having a bending portion; an operating portion connected to the endoscope insertion portion; an operating member disposed in the operating portion for bending the bending portion; a pulley disposed within the operating portion having an outer diameter larger than the inner diameter of the endoscope insertion portion for winding a line connected to the bending portion; and a line guard configured to cover a predetermined area of ​​the outer periphery of the pulley, having a guide wall configured to extend within the radius of the pulley from the contact point where the line separates from the pulley in the long axis direction of the operating portion, the line guard comprising: two generally semi-circular plate-shaped components; and an arc-shaped connector extending from both ends of the two components to connect the two components.

[0013] Invention Effects

[0014] According to the present invention, an endoscope can be provided that, through a simple construction, prevents the bending operation line used to operate the bending section from being caught in a rotating pulley and breaking. Attached Figure Description

[0015] Figure 1 This is a top view showing the structure of the endoscope device according to this embodiment.

[0016] Figure 2 This is a top view showing the structure of the sub-endoscope in this embodiment.

[0017] Figure 3 This is a side view showing the structure of the sub-endoscope of this embodiment.

[0018] Figure 4 This is a partial cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of the operating part in this embodiment.

[0019] Figure 5 This is a top view showing the internal structure of the operating unit in this embodiment.

[0020] Figure 6 This is an exploded perspective view showing the structure of the pulley unit in this embodiment.

[0021] Figure 7 This is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of the pulley unit in this embodiment.

[0022] Figure 8 This is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view showing the structure of the pulley unit in this embodiment.

[0023] Figure 9 This is an exploded perspective view showing the structure of mounting a pulley unit and the like on the outer casing of the operating part in this embodiment.

[0024] Figure 10 This is a partial cross-sectional view illustrating the structure of the line protection component of the pulley unit in this embodiment.

[0025] Figure 11 This diagram illustrates the function of the line guard in the state after the pulley has rotated according to this embodiment.

[0026] Figure 12 This diagram illustrates the function of the line guard when the pulley is rotated to its maximum rotation state in this embodiment.

[0027] Figure 13 This is a perspective view of the clamp of the wire clamp from one direction in this embodiment.

[0028] Figure 14 This is a perspective view of the clamp of the wire clamp viewed from another direction in this embodiment.

[0029] Figure 15 This is a perspective view showing the structure of the clamp base of the wire clamp according to this embodiment.

[0030] Figure 16 This is an exploded perspective view showing the structure of mounting a wire clamp on the pulley in this embodiment.

[0031] Figure 17 This is an exploded perspective view illustrating the state in which the bending operation line is fixed to the wire clamp in this embodiment.

[0032] Figure 18 This is a cross-sectional view of the bending operation line fixed to the wire clamp in this embodiment.

[0033] Figure 19 This is a perspective view of the outer casing of the operating unit of the first reference example.

[0034] Figure 20 In this embodiment, Figure 19The enlarged portion of circle XX is used to illustrate the structure of the joint that maintains the watertightness of the channel through the sealing component.

[0035] Figure 21 The second reference example is a three-dimensional view showing the structure of the front part of the main body.

[0036] Figure 22 This is a front view showing the structure of the front end body of this embodiment.

[0037] Figure 23 This is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of the front end body of the camera module installed in the opening portion in this embodiment.

[0038] Figure 24 This is a partial top view showing the state of the camera module being installed at the opening of the front end body in this embodiment.

[0039] Figure 25 The third reference example is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of the front end portion of the insertion part.

[0040] Figure 26 The fourth reference example is a perspective view showing the structure of the front end portion of the insertion part. Detailed Implementation

[0041] Hereinafter, an endoscope according to one aspect of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Furthermore, in the following description, the accompanying drawings of each embodiment are schematic, and it should be noted that the relationship between the thickness and width of each part, the ratio of the thickness of each part, etc., may differ from reality. The drawings may also sometimes include parts with different dimensional relationships and ratios.

[0042] The endoscopes described below illustrate so-called flexible endoscopes, which are designed for insertion into body cavities such as the stomach, small intestine, bile duct, pancreatic duct, and large intestine through the bronchi, urinary tract, or esophagus. While the insertion portion of such flexible endoscopes is flexible, they are not limited to this type. Rigid endoscopes used in surgery, on the other hand, have a rigid insertion portion with a curved section. Furthermore, the endoscopes described here are examples of mother-daughter endoscopes, which are medical devices comprising a mother endoscope and a daughter endoscope.

[0043] The endoscope device 1 of the medical device in this embodiment consists of a mother endoscope 10 and a daughter endoscope 20 fixed to the mother endoscope 10. In addition, the daughter endoscope 20 here is, for example, a disposable medical device that is discarded after use.

[0044] The endoscope 10 consists of an elongated insertion part 11 that is inserted into the subject and an operation part 12 that has an anti-bend part connected to the base end of the insertion part 11.

[0045] The insertion part 11 is formed with an outer diameter of about 10 mm and a length of about 1.2 m, and is constructed by sequentially connecting the front end body 13, the bending part 14 and the flexible tube part 15 from the front end side.

[0046] A treatment device through insertion channel (not shown) is formed inside the insertion part 11. This treatment device through insertion channel extends from the treatment device through insertion part 16 provided in the operation part 12 to the front end body 13. A pliers bolt 16a, which is discarded after use, is detachably installed in the treatment device through insertion part 16.

[0047] In addition, in addition to the treatment device, the insertion part 21 of the sub-endoscope 20 can also be inserted through the treatment device insertion channel.

[0048] An instrument lifting platform (not shown) is provided inside the front end body 13. This instrument lifting platform is inserted through the instrument insertion channel (not shown) and is used to lift the instrument, the insertion part 21 of the sub-endoscope 20, etc., which protrude from the side opening provided at its front end. That is, the mother endoscope 10 becomes a side-viewing / fluoroscopic type endoscope.

[0049] An image unit and an illumination optical system are provided in the front part of the insertion part 11, which are not shown here. The image unit has a built-in objective lens optical system, CCD, CMOS and other image sensors, and the illumination optical system illuminates the illumination light transmitted by the light guide beam.

[0050] The operation unit 12 is configured to have a universal cable 17, which connects various operating components required for operating the female endoscope 10 to the endoscope unit (not shown) that controls the female endoscope 10. An endoscope connector 17a that can be easily attached to and detached from external devices (not shown) such as a light source device is provided at the extension end of the universal cable 17.

[0051] The flexible tube section 15 of the insertion section 11 is composed of a flexible tubular component that can be passively bent. A camera cable, a light guide beam, a treatment device insertion channel, and air / water supply pipes (not shown) are inserted through the flexible tube section 15. As operating components of the operation section 12, a pair of bending operation knobs 18 for bending the bending section 14, and an operating lever 19 for inverting or raising the treatment device lifting platform are provided.

[0052] The bending portion 14 of the insertion portion 11 is configured to be able to actively bend in a circumferential direction, including the up-down / left-right directions, around the long axis (insertion axis) of the insertion portion 11, based on the rotation operation input of a pair of bending operation knobs 18 by the user or others who are surgeons.

[0053] Hereinafter, the structure of the medical device used with the female endoscope 10 of this embodiment, namely the daughter endoscope 20, will be described in detail.

[0054] Figures 1 to 3 The sub-endoscope 20 shown consists of an elongated insertion portion 21 and an operation portion 22 connected to the base end of the insertion portion 21.

[0055] The insertion part 21 has an outer diameter of about 3mm to 4mm and a length of about 2m. It is constructed by connecting the front end body 3, the bending part 4, and the flexible tube part 5 in sequence from the front end side. The front end body 3 is equipped with an observation window, an illumination window (not shown), etc.

[0056] The front end body 3 or operation part 22 of the insertion part 21 is equipped with a camera unit, an LED light source for illuminating light, an illumination optical system, etc., similar to the female endoscope 10. The camera unit has a built-in objective lens optical system (not shown), CCD, CMOS and other image sensors, etc.

[0057] The operating unit 22 has a pair of bending operation knobs 6 and 7 for bending the bending section 4 and a brake lever 25 for fixing the rotation position of the pair of bending operation knobs 6 and 7. In addition, it is provided with various operating components (not shown) required for operating the sub-endoscope 20.

[0058] In addition, the operating section 22 of the sub-endoscope 20 is provided with a hook 24, which serves as a locking part for easily attaching and detaching the fixing strap 23. The fixing strap 23 is a flexible strip-shaped body, roughly triangular in shape, for example, roughly in the shape of the letter A, and is formed of resin such as silicone rubber.

[0059] By wrapping the fixing strap 23 around the operating part 12 of the female endoscope 10 and hooking it onto the hook part 24, the outer part of the operating part 22 is kept in contact with the operating part 12 of the female endoscope 10, thereby installing the daughter endoscope 20 onto the female endoscope 10.

[0060] In addition, the bending portion 4 of the insertion portion 21 is configured in the same way as the endoscope 10, so that it can be actively bent in the entire circumference of the long axis (insertion axis) of the insertion portion 21, including the up-down / left-right directions, according to the rotation operation input of the pair of bending operation knobs 6 and 7 by the user as the surgeon.

[0061] Additionally, the insertion portion 21 of the sub-endoscope 20 is provided with a channel (not shown) for injecting contrast agents, etc. The front end of this channel opens at the front end body 3, and the base end communicates with the connector 9 provided in the operation portion 22.

[0062] Furthermore, cables 8 for camera and power supply, and pipes such as air and water supply pipes and suction pipes (not shown) are provided extending from the operation unit 22.

[0063] like Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, a pulley unit 30 is provided in the operation section 22 of the sub-endoscope 20. This pulley unit 30 is connected to bending operation knobs 6 and 7, which are operated when bending the bending section 4 of the insertion section 21. The pulley unit 30 has two pulleys 31 and 32, which will be described later, with an outer diameter larger than the inner diameter of the tubular insertion section 21.

[0064] One pulley 31 has a cylindrical hub 31a that serves as the rotation axis, and the other pulley 32 has a hub 32a that serves as the rotation axis inserted into the hub 31a and protruding from the end.

[0065] A pulley 31 hub 31a bends the bending portion 4 of the insertion portion 21 in the up-down direction, and is connected to the bending operation knob 6 on the large-diameter side near the operation portion 22 (see reference). Figure 4 That is, the pulley 31 is wound with bending operation lines 33 and 34 that bend in the vertical direction of the bending section 4.

[0066] Additionally, the hub 32a of another pulley 32 performs bending operations in the left-right direction of the bending section 4, and is connected to the bending operation knob 7 on the small diameter side. This bending operation knob 7 is stacked separately from the operation section 22 on the bending operation knob 6 (see reference). Figure 4 That is, the pulley 32 is wound with bending operation lines 35 and 36 that bend in the left and right directions of the bending section 4.

[0067] The two pulleys 31 and 32 are fixed in their rotational position by being pressed down on the outer periphery by the braking component 28 connected to the braking rod 25 when the brake lever 25 is tilted. This maintains the bent state of the curved portion 4. It should be noted that the braking component 28 is configured to penetrate and rotate through the root portion of the hub 31a of the pulley 31.

[0068] Four curved operating lines 33-36 extending from the two pulleys 31 and 32 toward the insertion part 21 are inserted into the tubular component 26 connected to the base of the insertion part 21. Furthermore, the four curved operating lines 33-36 are respectively inserted into coil tubes (not shown) and disposed inside the insertion part 21, with their front ends connected to a curved block provided in the curved part 4, a curved tube made of a super-elastic alloy material such as Ni-Ti (nickel-titanium), a multi-cavity tube, or other curved conduits (all not shown).

[0069] In addition, the tubular component 26 is held inside the operating part 22 and is connected to the through insertion tube 27 of the connector 9 which is provided with a channel.

[0070] Here, the structure of the pulley unit 30 of this embodiment will be described in detail with respect to the structure built into the operation part 22 of the sub-endoscope 20.

[0071] like Figure 6 and Figure 7 As shown, the pulley unit 30 includes two pulleys 31 and 32 configured to rotate freely, on which curved operating lines 33 to 36 are wound (wound and mounted). The ends of a pair of curved operating lines 33 and 34 on one pulley 31 and a pair of curved operating lines 35 and 36 on the other pulley 32 are respectively fixed to a clamp 50, which engages with a recessed clamping groove 47 formed in each pulley 31 and 32.

[0072] Two pulleys 31 and 32 are configured to sandwich a circular sliding plate 39 with a hole in the center, and circular pulley covers 37 and 38 are arranged on the outer side of each of the two pulleys 31 and 32.

[0073] Two pulley covers 37 and 38 have holes formed in the center and are stacked in a manner that overlaps with the opposing planar sides of the two pulleys 31 and 32 that sandwich the sliding plate 39. That is, the two pulley covers 37 and 38 are arranged in a manner that sandwiches the unit formed by stacking pulley 31, sliding plate 39 and pulley 32 in that order.

[0074] In addition, such as Figure 7 As shown, on each pulley 31, 32, two locking claws 31b, 32b are respectively provided at a position symmetrical to the center point (a position rotated 180° around the central axis O). These locking claws 31b, 32b are formed to protrude from the opposite surface of the pulleys 31, 32 on which the pulley covers 37, 38 are installed.

[0075] In addition, each pulley cover 37, 38 has an opening for the locking claws 31b, 32b of the installed pulleys 31, 32 to enter, and a locking part 37a, 38a is formed in the opening for the locking claws 31b, 32b to engage.

[0076] In this way, by engaging the locking claws 31b, 32b and the locking parts 37a, 38a, the pulleys 31, 32 and the pulley covers 37, 38 are mechanically engaged through a snap-fit ​​structure that does not require screws or other connecting parts. Furthermore, through each pulley cover 37, 38, the wire clamps 50 mounted on each pulley 31, 32 are pressed and held in a manner that prevents them from falling off.

[0077] The pulley unit 30 has a line guard 40 as a guide component, which is arranged to primarily cover a defined area of ​​the outer periphery of the two overlapping pulleys 31 and 32. For example... Figure 6As shown, the line protection component 40 consists of two roughly semi-circular plate-shaped protective parts 41 and 42.

[0078] The two protective components 41 and 42 have strip-shaped connectors 41a, 41b, 42a, and 42b, which form a connecting portion 46 extending in an arc shape from both sides of one end of each of the two protective components 41 and 42.

[0079] The connecting body 41a of the protective component 41 and the connecting portion 42a of the protective component 42 are fixed by screws 43. In addition, a pin 41c is provided on the connecting body 41b of the protective component 41. The pin 41c is inserted into the pin hole 42c formed in the connecting body 42b of the protective component 42, and the two connecting bodies 41b and 42b are pinned together.

[0080] Thus, the wire protection member 40 is configured such that two protective components 41 and 42 are fastened with screws and engaged with pins, covering the outer periphery of the two pulleys 31 and 32. Furthermore, the wire protection member 40 is installed such that the connecting portion 46, composed of connecting bodies 41a, 41b, 42a, and 42b, is located on the front end side, which becomes the insertion part 21 (see reference). Figure 4 as well as Figure 5 ).

[0081] In this way, by having the connecting bodies 41a, 41b, 42a, and 42b constituting the connecting portion 46 extend in an arcuate strip shape from both sides of one end, the line protection member 40 can connect the two protection members 41 and 42 without increasing the thickness. As a result, it is possible to prevent the pulley unit 30 from becoming too large in the thickness direction.

[0082] In addition, the two protective components 41 and 42 are provided with engaging holes 44b (see reference). Figure 8 When the online protective component 40 is configured to cover the outer periphery of the two pulleys 31 and 32, the two protrusions 39a protruding from the outer periphery of the sliding plate 39 engage with the engaging hole 44b.

[0083] The two protrusions 39a of the sliding plate 39 are positioned symmetrically at the center point (at a position 180° rotated around the central axis O). Corresponding to these positions, engaging holes 44b are provided on the two protective components 41 and 42 respectively.

[0084] Therefore, the two protrusions 39a of the sliding plate 39 protruding in opposite directions respectively engage with the engaging holes 44b of the wire guard 40 and are held in place by the wire guard 40 to prevent rotation. In addition, the wire guard 40 has guide grooves 44a formed on the inner surfaces of the two guarding parts 41 and 42, at positions opposite to the pulley grooves 31c and 32c of each pulley 31 and 32, to guide each curved operating line 33 to 36.

[0085] Furthermore, the wire guard 40 is configured such that the inner surfaces of the two guard components 41 and 42 have a certain gap with the outer peripheral surfaces of each pulley 31 and 32, and this gap is set to be less than or equal to the outer diameter of the bending operation wire 33-36. Thus, by providing the wire guard 40, the bending operation wire 33-36 is prevented from falling off without disengaging from the pulley grooves 31c and 32c of each pulley 31 and 32.

[0086] Furthermore, as long as the operating force of the bending operation knobs 6 and 7 when each pulley 31 and 32 rotates remains unchanged (unchanged in weight), the line protection component 40 can also be configured such that the inner surfaces of the two protection components 41 and 42 contact or press against the outer peripheral surfaces of each pulley 31 and 32.

[0087] like Figure 9 As shown, the pulley unit 30 configured as described above, together with the insertion part 21 and the tubular component 26, is mounted on the outer casing 22a, which constitutes half of the operating part 22, in a manner that engages with the cable protection member 40 without rotation. Furthermore, the cable 8 is provided with a rubber anti-bending member 8a, which is installed by engaging with a recess in the outer casing 22a.

[0088] Furthermore, on the outer periphery of the tubular component 26, two spacer protrusions 26a are erected in a direction opposite to the pulley unit 30. A magnetically shielded protective plate 51 and a substrate 70 on which various electronic components are mounted are disposed overlappingly on these spacer protrusions 26a. Nuts 52 are installed on each spacer protrusion 26a, and the protective plate 51 and the substrate 70 are fixed at a predetermined height relative to the spacer protrusions 26a.

[0089] In addition, the protective plate 51 is a component used to protect the various electronic components of the substrate 70 from the influence of magnetism and to prevent interference between the four bending operation lines 33-36 and the substrate 70. That is, the four bending operation lines 33-36 are protected by the protective plate 51 in a relaxed state and will not get stuck on the substrate 70.

[0090] In addition, such as Figure 10 As shown, the wire protection member 40 has a wire guide wall 45 at the front end of the two protection members 41 and 42. When the bent portion 4 of the insertion portion 21 is not bent (becoming a straight, unbent state), the wire guide wall 45 extends approximately parallel to the long axis (axis of the extension direction) of each bending operation line 33 to 36 (not shown in the figure) of the straight portion toward the tubular member 26.

[0091] That is, with the main viewing line guard 40 in place, the line guide walls 45 are respectively provided on the left and right sides. In addition, similar to the through insertion method of each bending operation line 33 to 36, each line guide wall 45 extends obliquely from both sides of each pulley 31, 32 (the pulley 32 is not shown in the figure) along the front end side of the tubular member 26 at a predetermined angle.

[0092] In addition, each guide wall 45 extends from the rotation axis, i.e. the central axis O, of each pulley 31, 32 along the long axis X of the operating part 22 toward the front end of the tubular member 26, and the extension length is within the radius R of each pulley 31, 32.

[0093] That is, the line guide wall 45 is configured such that, when the portions of each curved operating line 33-36 facing the tubular member 26 are straight, the length L1 from the contact point P (the boundary position where the contact with each pulley 31, 32 separates) to the extension end Q (orthogonal to the direction along the major axis X of the operating section 22) converges within the radius R of each pulley 31, 32. Furthermore, since the line guide wall 45 is inclined at a predetermined angle relative to the major axis X, a predetermined length L2 is provided from the contact point P to the extension end Q.

[0094] Therefore, each line guide wall 45 is provided in the range from the foremost end of each pulley 31, 32 to the base end side of the central axis O. Furthermore, guide grooves 44a are continuously formed on the inner surfaces of the two line guide walls 45 (see reference). Figure 8 ).

[0095] In the sub-endoscope 20 described above, in order to bend the curved portion 4 of the insertion portion 21 in a predetermined vertical bending direction, when the bending operation knob 6 is turned to the right (clockwise), for example, as Figure 11 As shown, pulley 31 also rotates to the right in conjunction. As a result, one curved operating line 33 wound on pulley 31 is pulled, while the other curved operating line 34 is slacked.

[0096] At this time, one curved operating line 33 is tensioned by being wound onto pulley 31 and pulled, and the portion from the contact point P with pulley 31 to the tubular member 26 becomes straight. The other curved operating line 34 is relaxed as the amount of winding onto pulley 31 decreases, and the tension is released, becoming relaxed. In this state, the curved operating line 34 is guided such that the portion of the winding near pulley 31 that has been released comes into contact with the line guide wall 45 and flexes towards the side of the curved operating line 33 on the traction side.

[0097] Furthermore, when the bending operation knob 6 is turned to the right, the pulley 31 rotates to the right, and the slack of the bending operation line 34 on the slack side increases. Moreover, in Figure 12As shown, during the process until the bending section 4 bends to its maximum in the specified up-down direction, the guide wall 45 of the bending operation line 33 on the traction side does not extend towards the front end of the tubular member 26. Therefore, the slack bending operation line 34 will not be wound into the pulley 31 together with the bending operation line 33 on the traction side.

[0098] That is, when the line guide wall 45 extends further than the outer periphery of the pulley 31 towards the front end, the slack bending operation line 34 is guided along the line guide wall 45 in the direction that the bending operation line 33 towards the traction side of the pulley 31 is wound around. Therefore, the slack bending operation line 34 may sometimes get caught in the pulley 31.

[0099] Thus, if the slack, bent operating line 34 gets caught in the pulley 31 from the opposite side (in this case, the left side), it may break due to kinking caused by bending, twisting, etc.

[0100] To prevent this, the extension range of the line guide wall 45 formed in the line guard 40 of the pulley unit 30 is set so that the relaxed bending operation line 34 on the relaxed side is not guided toward the pulley 31 by the line guide wall 45 on the opposite side.

[0101] Furthermore, when the bending operation knob 6 is turned to the left (counterclockwise) to rotate the pulley 31 to the left, and when the bending part 4 is bent to the left or right by another bending operation knob 7, the pulley 32 rotates, and the same action is performed. This has the effect of preventing the bending operation lines 33, 35 to 36 from breaking due to kinking, twisting, etc.

[0102] Based on the above description, the sub-endoscope 20 of this embodiment has the following structure: it can prevent the curved operation lines 33 to 36 of the curved part 4 used to operate the insertion part 21 from getting caught in the rotating pulleys 31 and 32 and breaking through a simple structure.

[0103] Furthermore, the structure of the pulley unit 30 equipped with the wire protection member 40 of this embodiment is not limited to the daughter endoscope 20, and can be applied to the mother endoscope 10 or various endoscopes with a curved portion in the insertion part.

[0104] (Cable clip)

[0105] Here, the structure of the wire clamp 50 for fixing the ends of the bending operation lines 33 to 36 when installing the bending operation lines 33 to 36 wound on the pulleys 31 and 32 of the pulley unit 30 will be described in detail below.

[0106] The wire clamp 50 is configured to have Figures 13 to 15The metal clamp 53 and the clamp base 60 shown are shown. In addition, two clamps 53 are mounted on one clamp base 60.

[0107] The clamp 53 is generally cylindrical in shape, with a cylindrical recess 55 in the central part of one side, a through hole 56 formed in the center of the recess 55, a wire fixing part 57 protruding from the outer periphery in a generally rectangular shape, and a generally arc-shaped protrusion 58 protruding from the opposite side of the wire fixing part 57.

[0108] The other side of the wire fixing part 57 becomes the wire pressing surface 57a, which serves as the wire fixing surface. A protrusion 57b is formed in the center of this wire pressing surface 57a, protruding toward the center of the hole 56. The tab 58 has a flat surface 58a at the protruding end, which serves as an abutment surface.

[0109] The clamp base 60 has two threaded holes 61 and a step on the side opposite to the clamp 53, forming two wire receiving surfaces 62. These two wire receiving surfaces 62 are wire fixing surfaces that engage with the wire fixing part 57 of the clamp 53. The wire receiving surface 62 has an elongated groove 63, which is a recess with a similar shape to the protrusion 57b of the wire fixing part 57, formed towards the center of the threaded holes 61.

[0110] Additionally, on one side of the clamp base 60, opposite to the wire receiving surface 62, there is a generally arc-shaped groove 64 into which the protrusion 58 of the wire fixing part 57 is inserted.

[0111] Furthermore, the clamp base 60 is formed with two wire receiving surfaces 62 facing away from each other, and a V-groove 65 is formed between these two wire receiving surfaces 62. This V-groove 65 is for... Figure 16 The upright support column 48, which has a roughly triangular cross section, is installed in the clamping groove 47 of the pulleys 31 and 32 and is positioned in the clamping groove 47 when the clamping base 60 is installed.

[0112] Furthermore, the clamp base 60 has two protrusions 66 on both sides of its outer periphery and one protrusion 66 on the side opposite to the two line receiving surfaces 62, for a total of three protrusions 66.

[0113] These three protrusions 66 are for placing the clamp base 60 on... Figure 16 The clamping groove 47 of the pulleys 31 and 32 shown is formed by abutting against the wall of the clamping groove 47 to position it so that the clamping base remains stationary.

[0114] Furthermore, if the fixture setting slot 47 and the fixture base 60 are made to have the same shape, the fixture base 60 cannot be assembled into the fixture setting slot 47 due to the manufacturing tolerances of the components.

[0115] Therefore, three protrusions 66 are formed on the fixture base 60, and several gaps are formed between the wall of the fixture setting groove 47 and the side of the fixture base 60, so that the fixture base 60 can be installed into the fixture setting groove 47 within the manufacturing tolerance.

[0116] like Figure 17 As shown, the clamp 50 configured as described above clamps the clamp base 60 and the clamp 53 by screwing in the screw 67, thereby fixing any of the bending operation lines 33 to 36.

[0117] Specifically, with the clamp base 60 placed in the clamp setting groove 47 of the pulleys 31 and 32, the length and tension of each bending operation line 33 to 36 are adjusted so that the bending part 4 of the insertion part 21 becomes, for example, a straight state, and each bending operation line 33 to 36 is along the line receiving surface 62 of the clamp base 60.

[0118] Furthermore, by pressing the bending operation lines 33 to 36 on the line receiving surface 62 into the line fixing part 57, the clamp 53 is fitted into the clamp base 60 and fastened with screws 67.

[0119] Each bending operation line 33-36 is sandwiched between the line pressing surface 57a of the line fixing part 57 and the line receiving surface 62, and is pressed by the protrusion 57b of the line pressing surface 57a and bent into the long groove 63 of the line receiving surface 62.

[0120] In addition, such as Figure 18 As shown, the tab 58 of the clamp 53 is engaged in the groove 58 of the clamp base 60 and fastened with screws 67. The so-called lever principle, which uses the plane 58a of the tab 58 as the fulcrum S, generates a large pressing force F from the protrusion 57b of the line pressing surface 57a toward the long groove 63 of the line receiving surface 62.

[0121] Thus, the bending operation lines 33-36 are securely fixed by the wire clamp 50. It should be noted that after the bending operation lines 33-36 are fixed to the wire clamp 50, any excess portion is cut off.

[0122] Thus, in this embodiment, the bending operation lines 33-36 wound on the pulleys 31 and 32 are adjusted in length and tension, and then fixed using the wire clamp 50. Therefore, the conventional wire adjustment mechanism such as the tensioning screw for adjusting the length and tension of the bending operation lines 33-36 can be omitted, and the structure of the bending operation lines 33-36 extending from the pulleys 31 and 32 can be simplified within the operation section 22.

[0123] (First Reference Example)

[0124] like Figure 19 as well as Figure 20As shown, the sub-endoscope 20 has a groove 22b provided on the outer body 22a of the operating part 22 for the insertion tube 27 of the connector 9 through which the installation channel passes, so as to prevent liquid from seeping into the interior of the operating part 22 in the event of accidental injection of liquid by a syringe.

[0125] (Second Reference Example)

[0126] like Figures 21 to 24 As shown, the front end body 3 of the insertion part 21 has two protrusions on the wall surface of the opening hole 81 on which the camera module 83 is mounted, forming a total of eight protrusions, namely ribs 82.

[0127] These eight ribs 82 are formed along the wall of the opening 81 from the front end toward the base end to the middle portion of the wall. That is, the eight ribs 82 are not formed at the base end portion of the opening 81.

[0128] In addition, the base end of each rib 82 is made into a smooth shape, which in this case is an arc cross-section. When the camera module 83 is installed from the base end side of the opening hole 81, it is easy to guide the camera module 83 to the base end part that has not formed the rib 82, thus improving the assemblability.

[0129] In addition, adhesive 84 is applied to the outer surface of the camera module 83 from the front end to the middle, and it is inserted and fitted into the opening hole 81. At this time, the camera module 83 is in contact with the eight ribs 82 around its perimeter, and the adhesive 84 flows between the camera module 83 and the wall surface of the opening hole 81.

[0130] As a result, the positioning accuracy of the camera module 83 at the front end of the main body 3 is improved, the assemblability is improved, and the gap between the camera module 83 and the wall of the opening hole 81 is larger, making it easier for the adhesive 84 to flow in and fill.

[0131] Therefore, it becomes easier to control the amount of adhesive 84 applied to the camera module 83, and it is difficult for air bubbles or other spaces to form in the adhesive 84 that fills the gap between the camera module 83 and the wall of the opening 81. As a result, no space such as air bubbles will be formed in the adhesive part of the camera module 83, preventing sterilization gases from reaching the area, and thus preventing situations where cleaning becomes difficult.

[0132] (Third Reference Example)

[0133] like Figure 25 As shown, when the curved tube of the curved section 4 provided in the insertion section 21 is a multi-lumen tube 91, the multi-lumen tube 91 and the front end body 3 are connected by a connecting tube 87. In addition, the outer periphery of the multi-lumen tube 91 here is covered with an outer skin 88.

[0134] In this structure, a gap is created at the connection between the front end body 3 and the multi-lumen tube 91. Liquid flows from the delivery chamber 92 of the multi-lumen tube 91, which contains contrast agents, saline, and other liquids, into the chamber 93 of other treatment device channels formed in the multi-lumen tube 91 and the channel hole 86 of the front end body 3.

[0135] Therefore, by configuring the liquid delivery channel 85 of the front end body 3 and the liquid delivery cavity of the multi-lumen tube 91 to be connected by a metal or resin tube body 94, it is possible to prevent the liquid flowing in the liquid delivery cavity 92 from flowing into other channels, lumens, etc.

[0136] (Fourth Reference Example)

[0137] like Figure 26 As shown, by making the curved portion 4 of the insertion portion 21 of the sub-endoscope 20 different in appearance from the flexible tube portion 5, the bending state of the curved portion 4 of the sub-endoscope 20 can be easily identified based on the image of the endoscope 10, making it easy to insert the sub-endoscope 20 into the object being examined.

[0138] However, when the insertion portion 21 of the daughter endoscope 20 is a light color such as white, it is reflected by the illumination light from the mother endoscope 10, resulting in halos or the like. Furthermore, even without halos, if the insertion portion 21 of the daughter endoscope 20 is a light color, the dimming function of the mother endoscope 10 will activate if the insertion portion 21 is within the imaging area, suppressing the amount of illumination. Consequently, the mother endoscope 10 cannot achieve sufficient illumination to reach the duodenal papilla.

[0139] Therefore, in order not to obstruct the visual recognition of the duodenal papilla in the endoscopic image of the female endoscope 10, the insertion part 21 of the female endoscope 20 has a dark color scheme with black as the base color for the curved part 4, and the flexible tube part 6 is dark gray (dark gray).

[0140] The invention described in the above embodiments and modifications is not limited to these embodiments and modifications. Furthermore, various modifications can be implemented during the implementation phase without departing from its spirit. In addition, the inventions in the above embodiments include various stages, and various inventions can be obtained by appropriately combining the disclosed multiple constituent elements.

[0141] For example, even if several constituent elements are removed from all the constituent elements shown in the embodiment, as long as the above-mentioned problems can still be solved and the above-mentioned effects can be obtained, the configuration with the removed constituent elements can also be obtained as an invention.

Claims

1. An endoscope, characterized by, The endoscope has: an endoscope insertion portion provided with a bending portion; an operation portion connected to the endoscope insertion portion; a pulley provided in the operation portion, around which a wire connected to the bending portion is wound; and a wire guard configured to cover a prescribed range of an outer peripheral portion of the pulley, having a guide wall configured to extend in a range of a radius of the pulley from a contact point position at which the wire and the pulley are separated in a long axis direction of the operation portion, an end portion of the wire is fixed to the pulley, by rotation of the pulley, the wire wound on one side of the pulley is pulled, and the wire wound on the other side of the pulley is loosened, and the loosened wire is guided to be in abutment with the guide wall to be bent toward the pulled wire side.

2. The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein an extended end of the wire guard is disposed at a position on the side of the endoscope insertion portion than the contact point position.

3. The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the wire guard has two members in a substantially semicircular plate shape, and a link body in a circular arc shape, one end of each of the two members is disposed at a circumferentially spaced distance on the outer peripheral portion of the pulley, and the other end of each of the two members is linked on the side of the endoscope insertion portion by the link body.

4. The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the end portions of the pair of wires are fixed to the pulley by a clamp device engaged with a recess-shaped clamp setting groove formed in the pulley.

5. The endoscope according to claim 4, wherein the clamp device has a clamp main body and a clamp base, the clamp main body has a recess formed in a central portion on one side, a through-hole portion formed in the center of the recess, a wire fixing portion protruding from the outer peripheral portion of the clamp main body, and a tab protruding from the other side of the wire fixing portion on the other side, the wire fixing portion has a wire pressing surface as a wire fixing surface, and a protrusion portion protruding toward the center of the through-hole portion is formed in the center of the wire pressing surface, the clamp base has: two screw holes, two wire receiving surfaces for the wire fixing portion to be engaged, and two long grooves respectively provided in the wire receiving surfaces, the two long grooves being formed in a similar shape to the protrusion portion toward the center of the screw hole.

6. The endoscope according to claim 5, wherein the clamp base has a groove on the one side into which the tab is engaged on the side opposite to the wire receiving surface.

7. The endoscope according to claim 5, wherein the clamp base is formed so that the two wire receiving surfaces face away from each other, and a V-shaped groove is formed between the two wire receiving surfaces to be positioned by being engaged with the clamp setting groove.

8. The endoscope according to claim 5, wherein the clamp base is provided with three protrusions on the outer peripheral portion to be positioned by being in abutment with the wall surface of the clamp setting groove when the clamp base is placed in the clamp setting groove.

9. A clamp device composed of a clamp base and a clamp body, characterized in that, the clamp body has a wire fixing portion that constitutes a wire pressing surface, a protrusion portion is formed in the center of the wire pressing surface, and a tab is provided protruding from the other side of the wire fixing portion, the clamp base has a wire receiving surface for engaging the wire fixing portion, a long groove provided in the wire receiving surface, and a recessed groove on the side opposite the wire receiving surface of the clamp base for engaging the tab.

Images