Soft endoscope insertion part assembly

Abstract

The invention relates to a soft endoscope insertion part assembly which comprises a bend unit and an insertion part unit which are connected into a whole, the insertion part unit comprises an insertion tube framework, a bend traction unit and an operation handle connecting unit, and the bend traction unit comprises an insertion tube front connecting ring and an insertion tube rear connecting ring which are arranged at the head end and the tail end of the insertion tube framework; the angle bending unit is assembled and connected with the insertion tube front connecting ring, the operating handle connecting unit is assembled and connected with the insertion tube rear connecting ring, and the innovation points are that the insertion tube front connecting ring is provided with an elastic clamping head, the free end of the elastic clamping head is provided with a barb part extending outwards, and the barb part and the angle bending unit form precise transition fit. The insertion tube rear connecting ring is provided with an elastic clamping hole, and the elastic clamping hole and the operating handle connecting unit are in precise transition fit. The connection among the insertion part unit, the corner unit and the handle can be quickly positioned and clamped, so that the assembly efficiency and the assembly precision are improved, and the maintenance cost is reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to an insertion tube assembly, specifically to a flexible endoscope insertion part assembly, belonging to the field of endoscope technology. Background Technology

[0002] Medical electronic or flexible cholangioscopy is a high-tech medical device used for diagnosing or minimally invasively treating benign and malignant lesions in the common bile duct. Currently, domestically manufactured flexible cholangioscopy instruments have relatively small diameters for the forceps insertion cannula, and the channel diameter for instruments such as biopsy forceps is less than or equal to ∅1.6mm. This limits the use of biopsy forceps with an outer diameter of ∅1.2mm or ∅1.5mm, and other accessories such as stone retrieval baskets are also small in diameter, sometimes making operation inconvenient and causing difficulties in stone retrieval.

[0003] The existing cholangioscope insertion tube assembly has a relatively large outer diameter but a small orifice, making it impossible to install larger forceps tubes. The working channel of the smaller forceps tube has a small orifice, and the larger minimally invasive surgical accessories of the cholangioscope cannot pass through the working channel of the cholangioscope. Larger minimally invasive surgical instruments such as stone retrieval baskets cannot be used, and the insertion tube assembly cannot reach the common bile duct and other locations. For rapid examination and diagnosis of diseases in the biliary region, the insertion tube assembly of this structure has the disadvantages of making it difficult to remove large gallstones.

[0004] The existing technology still uses steel rings to directly weld the bend unit to the front ring of the insertion tube and the rear ring of the insertion tube to the handle. This method has disadvantages such as high labor intensity, long production cycle, high production cost, long time for maintenance and disassembly of the choledochoscope, and high maintenance cost. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to provide a flexible endoscope insertion assembly that not only achieves high-precision positioning and connection, but also allows for quick positioning and clamping of the connection between the insertion unit, the bend unit, and the handle, replacing the existing welded-in-one structure. This improves assembly efficiency and accuracy while reducing maintenance costs and time.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the technical solution of the present invention is: a flexible endoscope insertion assembly, comprising an integrally connected bend unit and an insertion unit, wherein the insertion unit includes an insertion tube frame, a bend traction unit, and an operating handle connection unit. The insertion tube skeleton includes a spring tube, a braided mesh tube, and a flexible protective hose. The braided mesh tube is located on the outer periphery of the spring tube, and the flexible protective hose is located on the outer periphery of the braided mesh tube. The bending traction unit includes a front insert ring and a rear insert ring located at both ends of the braided mesh tube. The bending unit is assembled and connected to the front insert ring, and the operating handle connecting unit is assembled and connected to the rear insert ring. The traction spring tube fixed on the front insert ring extends out of the operating handle connecting unit through the spring tube. Its innovation lies in: The insert tube front connector has symmetrically arranged elastic locking heads, and the free end of the elastic locking head is provided with an outwardly extending barb. The elastic locking head undergoes elastic deformation under external force, so that the barb and the bend unit form a precise transition fit. At the same time, the elastic locking head returns to its original deformation, realizing the quick locking and fixing of the insert tube front connector and the bend unit. The insertion tube rear connector has elastic snap-fit ​​holes arranged symmetrically along it, and the elastic snap-fit ​​holes form a precise transition fit with the operating handle connection unit.

[0007] In the above technical solution, the elastic clamping head has an elastic connecting arm that is integrally connected to the front connecting ring of the insertion tube and integrally formed by machining. The free end of the elastic connecting arm is provided with an outwardly extending barb, and the outer edge of the barb is presented as a guide arc structure that can form a guide positioning cooperation with the corner unit.

[0008] In the above technical solution, the insertion tube front connector is a stepped structure composed of a bend connection part and an insertion connection part. The bend connection part is inserted into the inner hole of the bend unit and is provided with an elastic snap-fit ​​head. The insertion connection part is fitted onto the first end of the braided mesh tube.

[0009] In the above technical solution, the bend connection of the insertion tube front connector is provided with two or four spring tube fixing grooves arranged at equal intervals along its circumference and used to position and fix the traction spring tube.

[0010] In the above technical solution, the bend connection part of the insertion tube front connector is provided with two spring tube fixing grooves for positioning and fixing the traction spring tube. The elastic snap-fit ​​head and the spring tube fixing groove are arranged separately along the circumferential direction of the insertion tube front connector, and one of the spring tube fixing grooves is offset from the central axis of the insertion tube front connector by 3°~7°.

[0011] In the above technical solution, the outer periphery of the insert tube rear connector ring is provided with a limiting annular platform integrated therewith. The insert tube rear connector ring is provided with two elastic snap-fit ​​holes symmetrically arranged along the limiting annular platform on both sides and four solder holes evenly arranged along the circumference of the platform for fixed connection with the braided mesh tube.

[0012] In the above technical solution, the bend unit includes a two-way bend or a four-way bend, and both the two-way bend and the four-way bend include a front bend ring and a rear bend ring, as well as multiple intermediate bend rings disposed between the front and rear bend rings. The snake-bone front connecting ring has a front connecting portion with a front elastic buckle slot. The snake-bone middle connecting ring has middle connecting portions at both ends, with middle elastic buckles and middle elastic buckle slots at both ends. The snake-bone rear connecting ring has a rear connecting portion with a rear elastic buckle. The middle elastic buckle of the snake bone middle connecting ring adjacent to the front connecting ring is engaged in the front elastic buckle slot of the front connecting part, and the rear elastic buckle of the snake bone rear connecting ring is engaged in the middle elastic buckle slot of the snake bone middle connecting ring adjacent to it. The front connecting ring of the snake bone and the adjacent middle connecting ring of the snake bone, the rear connecting ring of the snake bone and the adjacent middle connecting ring of the snake bone, and two adjacent middle connecting rings of the snake bone are all connected as a whole by elastic connecting rods. In a two-way curved snake bone joint, the middle elastic buckle of one of the two adjacent snake bone joints is engaged in the middle elastic buckle slot of the other snake bone joint. In a four-way curved snake bone joint, the middle elastic buckle of one of the two adjacent snake bone joints is rotated 90° and then snaps into the middle elastic buckle slot of the other snake bone joint. The barb of the front connector of the insertion tube is inserted into the insertion hole of the rear connector of the snake bone.

[0013] In the above technical solution, the front connecting part of the snake bone front connecting ring, the middle connecting part of the snake bone middle connecting ring, and the rear connecting part of the snake bone rear connecting ring all have a double-layer stepped structure. The first step of the front connecting part is provided with a front elastic buckle groove, and the second step is provided with a front positioning connection hole. The two intermediate connecting parts each have a first-level step with a central elastic buckle and a central elastic snap-fit ​​groove, and a second-level step with a central positioning connection hole. The first step of the rear connecting part is provided with a rear elastic buckle, and the second step is provided with a rear positioning connection hole. The elastic connecting pins at both ends of the elastic connecting rod connecting the front connecting ring of the snake bone and the adjacent middle connecting ring of the snake bone are respectively inserted into the front positioning connecting hole and the middle positioning connecting hole on the corresponding second-level step. The elastic connecting pins at both ends of the elastic connecting rod connecting the rear connecting ring of the snake bone and the adjacent middle connecting ring of the snake bone are respectively inserted into the rear positioning connecting hole and the middle positioning connecting hole on the corresponding secondary step. The elastic connecting pins at both ends of the elastic connecting rod connecting the two adjacent snake-bone intermediate connecting rings are respectively inserted into the intermediate positioning connecting holes on the corresponding secondary steps. The surfaces of the elastic connecting rods are all lower than the maximum outer diameter of the front, middle, and rear connecting rings of the snake bone.

[0014] In the above technical solution, the elastic connecting rod is a U-shaped structure, and it includes a connecting rod body and elastic connecting pins located at both ends of the connecting rod body. The elastic connecting pins have axial contraction notches that facilitate locking.

[0015] In the above technical solution, when the bending unit includes a two-way bending snake bone, the two-way bending snake bone is provided with two traction steel wire ropes, and the two traction steel wire ropes are respectively inserted into the corresponding traction spring tubes fixed on the front connecting ring of the insertion tube. The outer periphery of the two-way bending snake bone is provided with a flexible protective sleeve. When the bending unit includes a four-way bending snake bone, the four-way bending snake bone is provided with four traction steel wire ropes, and the four traction steel wire ropes are respectively inserted into the corresponding traction spring tubes fixed on the front connecting ring of the insertion tube. The outer periphery of the four-way bending snake bone is provided with a flexible protective sleeve.

[0016] In the above technical solution, the bending unit includes a curved snake bone and a camera headstock located on the head of the curved snake bone. The camera headstock is connected to the curved snake bone by a radial headstock screw, and the end of the camera headstock has a camera mounting hole, two light guide holes, a channel hole for minimally invasive instruments, and a mounting hole for a cleaning lens water and air nozzle.

[0017] In the above technical solution, the operating handle connecting unit includes a fixing nut, an elastic adapter seat, a sealing conical sleeve, and an insert. The fixing nut is fitted onto the outer periphery of the insert tube rear connector and is detachably connected to the elastic adapter seat. The limiting annular platform on the outer periphery of the insert tube rear connector abuts against the inner wall of the fixing nut, and the elastic adapter seat is precisely fitted with the elastic snap-fit ​​hole. The operating handle is sealed to the elastic adapter seat through a radial screw and a sealing ring. The sealing conical sleeve is fitted onto the outer periphery of the flexible protective hose. At the same time, the operating handle is connected to the sealing conical sleeve through the insert.

[0018] In the above technical solution, the end of the elastic adapter has elastic adapter hooks arranged symmetrically along it, and the elastic adapter hooks are engaged in the elastic engagement holes of the insert tube rear connector.

[0019] In the above technical solution, the spring tube is formed by winding two steel strips with different hardnesses, giving the spring tube a front and rear section that are connected as one piece. The thickness of the steel strip is 0.07mm to 0.11mm, and the width is 1.3mm to 2.1mm. The hardness of the front section of the spring tube is less than that of the rear section, and the pitch of the front section is 1.7mm to 2.5mm, while the pitch of the rear section is 2.8mm to 3.4mm. The braided mesh covering the outer periphery of the rear section is coated with a polyurethane layer formed by the curing of liquid polyurethane, and the outer periphery of the flexible protective hose is also provided with a polyurethane film protective layer.

[0020] The positive effects of this invention are as follows: When using the flexible endoscope insertion assembly of this invention, the insertion tube front connector has symmetrically arranged elastic locking heads, and the free end of each elastic locking head has an outwardly extending barb. Under external force, the elastic locking head undergoes elastic deformation, allowing the barb to form a precise transition fit with the bend unit. Simultaneously, the elastic locking head recovers its deformation, achieving rapid locking and fixing of the insertion tube front connector and the bend unit. The insertion tube rear connector has symmetrically arranged elastic snap-fit ​​holes, and the elastic snap-fit ​​holes form a precise transition fit with the operating handle connection unit. Because the insert tube front connecting ring and insert tube rear connecting ring located at both ends of the braided mesh tube in this invention are respectively assembled and connected to the bending unit and the operating handle connecting unit, this invention replaces the connection between the bending unit and the insert tube front ring, and between the insert tube rear ring and the handle in the prior art, which still uses a steel collar to directly weld them together as a whole. The front connecting ring of the insertion tube described in this invention is equipped with an elastic snap-fit ​​connector structure, which can realize a snap-fit ​​connection structure with the bend unit for quick insertion. The rear connecting ring of the insertion tube is equipped with an elastic snap-fit ​​hole that forms a precise transition fit with the operating handle connection unit. This structure can not only achieve high-precision positioning connection, but also enable quick positioning and snap-fit ​​between the insertion unit, the bend unit, and the handle. This not only improves assembly efficiency and accuracy, but also reduces maintenance costs and improves maintenance efficiency. Attached Figure Description

[0021] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram (two-way) of the structure of the first specific embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the insertion unit of the present invention excluding the operating handle connecting unit; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the insertion tube front connector of the present invention; Figure 4 yes Figure 3 A top-down view; Figure 5 yes Figure 4 A side view diagram; Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the operating handle connection unit of the present invention; Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the insert tube and the connecting ring of the present invention; Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the elastic adapter of the present invention; Figure 9 yes Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of a snake-like bone with curved directions in the middle two directions; Figure 10 yes Figure 9 A schematic diagram of the structure of the snake bone front connector; Figure 11 yes Figure 10 A top-down view; Figure 12 yes Figure 9 A schematic diagram of the structure of the snake bone connecting ring; Figure 13 yes Figure 12 A top-down view; Figure 14 yes Figure 9 A schematic diagram of the structure of the snake bone rear connector; Figure 15 yes Figure 14 A top-down view; Figure 16 yes Figure 9 A schematic diagram of the structure of the elastic connecting rod; Figure 17 yes Figure 9 Schematic diagram of the end face structure of the front head mount of the central camera; Figure 18 This is a structural schematic diagram (four directions) of the second specific embodiment of the present invention. Figure 19 yes Figure 18 A schematic diagram of the structure of a snake-like bone that bends in four directions. Detailed Implementation

[0022] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and the given embodiments, but is not limited thereto. Example 1

[0023] like Figures 1-17 As shown, a flexible endoscope bidirectional insertion assembly includes an integrally formed bend unit and an insertion unit. The insertion unit includes an insertion tube frame, a bend traction unit, and an operating handle connection unit. The insertion tube skeleton includes a spring tube 11, a braided mesh tube 12, and a flexible protective hose 13. The braided mesh tube 12 is located on the outer periphery of the spring tube 11, and the flexible protective hose 13 is located on the outer periphery of the braided mesh tube 12. The bending traction unit includes a front insert ring 21 and a rear insert ring 22 located at both ends of the braided mesh tube 12. The bending unit is assembled and connected to the front insert ring 21, and the operating handle connecting unit is assembled and connected to the rear insert ring 22. The traction spring tube 23, fixed on the front insert ring 21, extends out of the operating handle connecting unit via the spring tube 11. The insertion tube front connector 21 has elastic locking heads 211 symmetrically arranged along it, and the free end of the elastic locking head 211 is provided with an outwardly extending barb portion 212. The elastic locking head 211 undergoes elastic deformation under the action of external force, so that the barb portion 212 forms a precise transition fit with the corner unit. At the same time, the elastic locking head 211 returns to its original deformation, realizing the quick locking and fixing of the insertion tube front connector 21 and the corner unit. The insertion tube rear connector 22 has elastic snap-fit ​​holes 221 arranged symmetrically along it, and the elastic snap-fit ​​holes 221 form a precise transition fit with the operating handle connection unit.

[0024] The precision transition fit involved in this invention refers to a part whose dimensional fluctuation range is extremely small after the elastic snap-fit ​​head and elastic snap-fit ​​hole are fitted together, and whose coaxiality (centering accuracy) after assembly is extremely high. At the same time, the tolerance of the elastic snap-fit ​​head is -0.005 (upper tolerance) ~ 0.01mm (lower tolerance), and the tolerance of the elastic snap-fit ​​hole is +0.01 (upper tolerance) ~ +0.005mm (lower tolerance).

[0025] Furthermore, such as Figure 3 , 4 As shown in Figure 5, to facilitate high-precision machining and to achieve rapid positioning and assembly with the corner unit, the elastic clamping head 211 has an elastic connecting arm 213 integrally formed with the front connecting ring 21 of the insertion tube and machined as a single piece. The free end of the elastic connecting arm 213 is provided with an outwardly extending barb portion 212, and the outer edge surface of the barb portion 212 presents a guide arc-shaped structure that can form a guiding and positioning fit with the corner unit. The barb portion 212 is a rectangular structure, a T-shaped structure, or a semi-circular structure.

[0026] Furthermore, such as Figure 4As shown, in order to enable the insertion tube front connector ring of the present invention to achieve quick positioning and connection with the braided mesh tube without increasing the outer diameter of the overall structure, the insertion tube front connector ring 21 is a stepped structure composed of a bend connection part 214 and an insertion connection part 215. The bend connection part 214 is inserted into the inner hole of the bend unit, and the bend connection part 214 is provided with an elastic snap-fit ​​head 211. The insertion connection part 215 is fitted onto the first end of the braided mesh tube 12.

[0027] Furthermore, in order to achieve a two-way bend, the bend connection portion 214 of the insertion tube front connector 21 is provided with two spring tube fixing grooves 216 arranged symmetrically along it for positioning and fixing the traction spring tube 23.

[0028] Furthermore, such as Figure 5 As shown, the bend connection 214 of the insertion tube front connector 21 is provided with two spring tube fixing grooves 216 for positioning and fixing the traction spring tube 23. The elastic snap-fit ​​head 211 and the spring tube fixing groove 216 are arranged separately along the circumferential direction of the insertion tube front connector 21, and one of the spring tube fixing grooves 216 is offset from the central axis of the insertion tube front connector 21 by 3°~7°. The advantage of this design is that one of the spring tube fixing slots (through-hole slots) at the 180-degree position is offset by 3°~7°, causing the traction spring tube fixed and welded in the hole to also be offset by 3°~7°. This increases the space capacity on one side of the two spring tubes, that is, the distance between the two traction spring tubes on one side is 183°~187°. The increased space on one side makes it easier to increase the position space of the hole when the outer diameter of the flexible cholangioscope is small. In other words, it increases the space on the side of the insertion hole, making it easy to insert the largest forceps tube of the flexible cholangioscope. This is beneficial for using larger biopsy forceps, large stone retrieval baskets, and minimally invasive lithotripsy instruments, etc., to enter the common bile duct and related cavities through the large forceps tube hole for minimally invasive surgery.

[0029] Of course, it should be added that the axis of the welded traction spring tube groove in the insertion tube front connecting ring hole of the present invention, which is offset by 6°, is on the same axis as the angle of offset of the rope blocking hole of the traction steel wire rope in the front curved part snake bone, thus ensuring the coaxiality of the traction bend when it is bent.

[0030] Furthermore, in this invention, one of the spring tube fixing grooves 216 is preferably offset by 6° from the central axis of the insertion tube front connector 21.

[0031] Furthermore, such as Figure 7As shown, in order to achieve quick positioning and snapping between the insertion part and the handle, the outer periphery of the insertion tube rear connecting ring 22 is provided with a limiting annular platform 222 integrated with it. The insertion tube rear connecting ring 22 is provided with two elastic snapping holes 221 symmetrically arranged along it and four solder holes evenly arranged along its circumference and used to form a fixed connection with the braided mesh tube 12.

[0032] Furthermore, such as Figures 9-16 As shown, the bend unit includes a two-way curved snake bone, which includes a front connecting ring 31 and a rear connecting ring 33, as well as a plurality of intermediate connecting rings 32 disposed between the front connecting ring 31 and the rear connecting ring 33. The snake-bone front connecting ring 31 has a front connecting portion 311, and the front connecting portion 311 is provided with a front elastic buckle slot 312. The snake-bone middle connecting ring 32 has middle connecting portions 321 at both ends, and the middle connecting portions 321 at both ends of the snake-bone middle connecting ring 32 are respectively provided with a middle elastic buckle 322 and a middle elastic buckle slot 323. The snake-bone rear connecting ring 33 has a rear connecting portion 331, and the rear connecting portion 331 is provided with a rear elastic buckle 332. The middle elastic buckle 322 of the snake bone middle connecting ring 32 adjacent to the front connecting ring 31 is engaged in the front elastic buckle slot 312 of the front connecting part 311, and the rear elastic buckle 332 of the snake bone rear connecting ring 33 is engaged in the middle elastic buckle slot 323 of the snake bone middle connecting ring 32 adjacent to it. The front connecting ring 31 of the snake bone and the adjacent middle connecting ring 32 of the snake bone, the rear connecting ring 33 of the snake bone and the adjacent middle connecting ring 32 of the snake bone, and two adjacent middle connecting rings 32 of the snake bone are all connected as a whole by elastic connecting rods 34. In a two-way curved snake bone, the middle elastic buckle 322 of one of the snake bone connecting rings 32 is engaged in the middle elastic buckle slot 323 of the other snake bone connecting ring. The barb portion 212 of the front connector 21 of the insertion tube is inserted into the insertion hole of the rear connector 33 of the snake bone.

[0033] The advantages of the curved snake bone structure design of the present invention are as follows: First, the elastic connecting rod of the present invention is a precision-machined connector that snaps together each snake bone part into a whole snake bone. Its positioning connection is reliable, the connection accuracy is high, and there will be no deviation or twisting in the connection positioning and rotation angle. It also has the advantages of accurate bending angle direction and flexible rotation angle.

[0034] Secondly, its rotation center point or fulcrum will not shift, and even when the snake bone is pulled to its maximum bend, it will not shift, and the shape of the bend is on a single plane. In use, the camera at the tip of the endoscope can be easily inserted into the desired location for examination and observation; the examination and diagnosis operation is convenient, shortening the time for endoscopic examination and diagnosis, and improving the efficiency of endoscopic work.

[0035] Thirdly, the positioning shaft head used in this invention is perpendicular to the axis of the snake bone. The shaft head connects with the arc hole, which has high positioning accuracy and flexible rotation. This ensures that when bending and pulling, the bending starts from the front connector of the snake bone, and then from the middle connector and the rear connector. This ensures that the endoscope tip can quickly reach the position to be examined and diagnosed, reducing the pain during examination or minimally invasive surgery. It also overcomes some problems of the existing technology and improves the working efficiency of operating the cholangioscope.

[0036] When the positioning groove of the traction spring tube of the insertion tube front connector is offset by 6° from the central axis, the rope-retaining groove on each connector of the corresponding snake bone is also offset by 6°, which facilitates the installation of the larger front end tube of the choledochoscope. This is because existing snake bones are basically only capable of installing smaller, thin forceps tubes. Due to the small working channel, large biopsy forceps and stone retrieval baskets cannot enter the working channel and are therefore unusable.

[0037] Furthermore, the intermediate elastic buckle 322 of the snake bone connecting ring 32 and the rear elastic buckle 332 of the snake bone rear connecting ring 33 are both L-shaped structures. The front elastic buckle slot 312 and the intermediate elastic buckle slot 323 are both composed of interconnected circular holes and notched grooves.

[0038] Furthermore, such as Figures 9-16 As shown, in order to achieve quick positioning and snapping between the various connecting rings of the snake bone without increasing the maximum outer diameter of the snake bone, the front connecting part 311 of the front connecting ring 31, the middle connecting part 321 of the middle connecting ring 32, and the rear connecting part 331 of the rear connecting ring 33 of the snake bone are all double-layered stepped structures. The first step of the front connecting part 311 is provided with a front elastic buckle groove 312, and its second step is provided with a front positioning connection hole. The first-level steps of the two intermediate connecting parts 321 are respectively provided with intermediate elastic buckles 322 and intermediate elastic buckle slots 323, and their second-level steps are provided with intermediate positioning connecting holes. The first step of the rear connecting part 331 is provided with a rear elastic buckle 332, and its second step is provided with a rear positioning connecting hole. The elastic connecting pins 341 at both ends of the elastic connecting rod 34 connecting the front connecting ring 31 of the snake bone and the adjacent middle connecting ring 32 of the snake bone are respectively inserted into the front positioning connecting hole and the middle positioning connecting hole on the corresponding secondary step. The elastic connecting pins 341 at both ends of the elastic connecting rod 34 connecting the rear connecting ring 33 of the snake bone and the adjacent middle connecting ring 32 of the snake bone are respectively inserted into the rear positioning connecting hole and the middle positioning connecting hole on the corresponding secondary step. The elastic connecting pins 341 at both ends of the elastic connecting rod 34 connecting the two adjacent snake bone connecting rings 32 are respectively inserted into the intermediate positioning connecting holes on the corresponding secondary steps. The surfaces of the elastic connecting rods 34 are all lower than the maximum outer surfaces of the front connecting ring 31, the middle connecting ring 32, and the rear connecting ring 33 of the snake bone.

[0039] Furthermore, such as Figure 16 As shown, in order to achieve quick connection between the elastic connecting rod and different snake-bone coupling rings, the elastic connecting rod 34 is U-shaped in general, and includes a connecting rod body 342 and elastic connecting pins 341 located at both ends of the connecting rod body 342. The elastic connecting pins 341 have a neck-shaped contraction notch for easy snap-fit.

[0040] Furthermore, such as Figure 9 As shown, when the bending unit includes a two-way bending snake bone, the two-way bending snake bone is provided with two traction steel wire ropes, and the two traction steel wire ropes are respectively inserted into the corresponding traction spring tubes 23 fixed on the front connecting ring 21 of the insertion tube, and the outer periphery of the two-way bending snake bone is provided with a flexible protective sleeve.

[0041] Furthermore, such as Figure 16 As shown, in order to facilitate the use with corresponding minimally invasive auxiliary instruments, the bending unit includes a curved snake bone and a camera headstock 35 located on the head of the curved snake bone. The camera headstock 35 is connected to the curved snake bone by a headstock screw in the radial direction, and the end of the camera headstock 35 has a camera mounting hole, two light guide holes, a channel hole for minimally invasive instruments, and a mounting hole for a cleaning lens water and air nozzle.

[0042] Furthermore, such as Figure 6 As shown, in order to achieve quick positioning and assembly with the handle, the operating handle connection unit includes a fixing nut 41, an elastic adapter 42, a sealing conical sleeve 43, and an insert 44. The fixing nut 41 is fitted onto the outer periphery of the insertion tube rear connecting ring 22 and is detachably connected to the elastic adapter 42. The limiting annular platform 222 on the outer periphery of the insertion tube rear connecting ring 22 abuts against the inner wall of the fixing nut 41, and the elastic adapter 42 is precisely fitted with the elastic snap hole 221. The operating handle 5 is sealed to the elastic adapter 42 by a radial screw and a sealing ring. The sealing conical sleeve 43 is fitted onto the outer periphery of the flexible protective hose 13. At the same time, the operating handle 5 is connected to the sealing conical sleeve 43 by the insert 44.

[0043] Furthermore, such as Figure 8As shown, in order to make the structure more reasonable without increasing the production cost of the product, the end of the elastic adapter 42 has elastic adapter hooks 421 arranged symmetrically along it, and the elastic adapter hooks 421 are engaged in the elastic engagement holes 221 of the insert tube rear connector 22.

[0044] Furthermore, such as Figure 2 As shown, the spring tube 11 is formed by winding two steel strips with different hardnesses, giving the spring tube 11 a front section 111 and a rear section 112 that are connected as one piece. The thickness of the steel strip is 0.07mm to 0.11mm, and the width is 1.3mm to 2.1mm. The hardness of the front section 111 is less than that of the rear section 112, and the pitch of the front section 111 is 1.7mm to 2.5mm, while the pitch of the rear section 112 is 2.8mm to 3.4mm. The braided mesh tube 12 covering the outer periphery of the rear section 112 is coated with a polyurethane layer formed by the curing of liquid polyurethane, and the outer periphery of the flexible protective hose 13 is also provided with a polyurethane film protective layer 14.

[0045] The advantages of this design are as follows: The spring tube of this invention consists of two thin-walled steel strip springs (stainless steel) with different hardnesses in the two sections. The first half of the spring is softer than the second half. The steel strip spring of this invention is a thin-walled stainless steel strip, with a wall thickness about one-third smaller than that of existing thin-walled steel strips, but a width increased by about one-fifth. Therefore, the flexible insertion tube of this invention increases the aperture size by about 5% to 10% without increasing the outer diameter. The advantage of this design is that the first half is very flexible. The first half of the steel strip spring is covered with a braided tube without polyurethane coating, and its outer diameter is covered with a soft polyurethane tube, resulting in a very flexible and smooth outer diameter. This prevents damage to the inner wall of the bile duct during use. The second half of the thin-walled steel strip spring is coated with a polyurethane layer. This combination of flexibility and adequate bending rigidity improves insertion efficiency and facilitates insertion into relevant organs for examination and diagnosis.

[0046] The outer layer is made of a very soft polyurethane tube, which is a smooth and soft polyurethane film protective layer. Its soft and smooth outer diameter effectively avoids damage to the body's internal cavities and mucous membranes.

[0047] This invention relates to long-type electronic or fiber optic cholangioscopy with a total working length of 1800mm-1950mm for insertion into the common bile duct. Alternatively, it relates to flexible electronic or fiber optic cholangioscopy with a total working length of 350mm-650mm.

[0048] Of course, the cholangioscope insertion assemblies designed and developed in this invention all have a small outer diameter and a large orifice. However, the structure is not limited to this. It is possible to manufacture insertion parts of flexible insertion tubes with different diameters, orifices, and lengths, which are suitable for various cholangioscopes such as electronic and fiber cholangioscopes, as well as for use with duodenoscopes, cholangioscopes, and other flexible insertion tubes, including orifice cholangioscopes or those that are percutaneously inserted into the common bile duct. Example 2

[0049] The difference between Example 2 and Example 1 is as follows: Figure 18 , 19 As shown, a flexible endoscope four-way insertion assembly is provided, wherein the bend connection 214 of the insertion tube front connecting ring 21 is provided with four spring tube fixing grooves 216 arranged at equal intervals along its circumference and used to position and fix the traction spring tube 23.

[0050] The bending unit includes a four-way curved snake bone, and each of the four curved snake bones includes a front connecting ring 31 and a rear connecting ring 33, as well as a plurality of snake bone connecting rings 32 disposed between the front connecting ring 31 and the rear connecting ring 33. The snake-bone front connecting ring 31 has a front connecting portion 311, and the front connecting portion 311 is provided with a front elastic buckle slot 312. The snake-bone middle connecting ring 32 has middle connecting portions 321 at both ends, and the middle connecting portions 321 at both ends of the snake-bone middle connecting ring 32 are respectively provided with a middle elastic buckle 322 and a middle elastic buckle slot 323. The snake-bone rear connecting ring 33 has a rear connecting portion 331, and the rear connecting portion 331 is provided with a rear elastic buckle 332. The middle elastic buckle 322 of the snake bone middle connecting ring 32 adjacent to the front connecting ring 31 is engaged in the front elastic buckle slot 312 of the front connecting part 311, and the rear elastic buckle 332 of the snake bone rear connecting ring 33 is engaged in the middle elastic buckle slot 323 of the snake bone middle connecting ring 32 adjacent to it. The front connecting ring 31 of the snake bone and the adjacent middle connecting ring 32 of the snake bone, the rear connecting ring 33 of the snake bone and the adjacent middle connecting ring 32 of the snake bone, and two adjacent middle connecting rings 32 of the snake bone are all connected as a whole by elastic connecting rods 34. In a four-way curved snake bone, the middle elastic buckle 322 of one of the two adjacent snake bone connecting rings 32 is rotated 90° and then snapped into the middle elastic buckle slot 323 of the other snake bone connecting ring.

[0051] Furthermore, when the bending unit includes a four-way bending snake bone, the four-way bending snake bone is provided with four traction steel wire ropes, and the four traction steel wire ropes are respectively inserted into the corresponding traction spring tubes 23 fixed on the front connecting ring 21 of the insertion tube, and the outer periphery of the four-way bending snake bone is provided with a flexible protective sleeve.

[0052] In summary, both the front and rear connectors of the insertion tube described in this invention feature a flexible snap-fit ​​structure, enabling rapid positioning and engagement with the bending unit and handle. This replaces the existing technology's connection between the bending unit and the front connector of the insertion tube, and between the rear connector and the handle, which uses steel rings directly welded together. This invention not only achieves high-precision positioning and connection but also improves assembly efficiency and accuracy, while reducing maintenance costs and time and increasing maintenance efficiency.

[0053] Furthermore, the positioning points of the entire curved serpentine joint of this invention are stable and reliable. Its rotation center point or fulcrum will not shift, and even when the serpentine is pulled to its maximum bend angle, it will not shift; the shape of the bend angle is on a single plane. In use, the camera at the endoscope's tip can be easily inserted into the desired examination location; the examination and diagnosis operation is convenient, shortening the time for endoscopic examination and diagnosis, and improving the efficiency of endoscopic operation.

[0054] Based on the above-described preferred embodiments of the present invention, and through the foregoing description, those skilled in the art can make various changes and modifications without departing from the inventive concept. The technical scope of this invention is not limited to the contents of the specification, but must be determined according to the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A flexible endoscope insertion assembly, comprising an integrally formed bend unit and an insertion unit, wherein the insertion unit includes an insertion tube frame, a bend traction unit, and an operating handle connection unit. The insertion tube skeleton includes a spring tube (11), a braided mesh tube (12), and a flexible protective hose (13). The braided mesh tube (12) is located on the outer periphery of the spring tube (11), and the flexible protective hose (13) is located on the outer periphery of the braided mesh tube (12). The bending traction unit includes a front insert ring (21) and a rear insert ring (22) located at both ends of the braided mesh tube (12). The bending unit is assembled and connected to the front insert ring (21), and the operating handle connecting unit is assembled and connected to the rear insert ring (22). The traction spring tube (23) fixed on the front insert ring (21) passes through the operating handle connecting unit via the spring tube (11). Its features are: The insertion tube front connector (21) has elastic locking heads (211) arranged symmetrically along it, and the free end of the elastic locking head (211) is provided with an outwardly extending barb (212). The elastic locking head (211) undergoes elastic deformation under the action of external force, so that the barb (212) forms a precise transition fit with the corner unit. At the same time, the elastic locking head (211) recovers its deformation, realizing the quick locking and fixing of the insertion tube front connector (21) and the corner unit. The insertion tube rear connector (22) has elastic snap-fit ​​holes (221) arranged symmetrically along it, and the elastic snap-fit ​​holes (221) form a precise transition fit with the operating handle connection unit.

2. The flexible endoscope insertion assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: The elastic clamping head (211) has an elastic connecting arm (213) that is integrally connected to the front connecting ring (21) of the insertion tube and integrally formed by machining. The free end of the elastic connecting arm (213) is provided with an outwardly extending barb (212), and the outer edge of the barb (212) presents a guide arc structure that can form a guide positioning fit with the corner unit.

3. The flexible endoscope insertion assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: The insertion tube front connector (21) is a stepped structure composed of a bend connector (214) and an insertion connector (215). The bend connector (214) is inserted into the inner hole of the bend unit and is provided with an elastic snap-fit ​​head (211). The insertion connector (215) is fitted onto the head end of the braided mesh tube (12).

4. The flexible endoscope insertion assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: The bend connection (214) of the insertion tube front connector (21) is provided with two or four spring tube fixing grooves (216) arranged at equal intervals along its circumference and used to position and fix the traction spring tube (23).

5. The flexible endoscope insertion assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: The bend connection (214) of the insertion tube front connector (21) is provided with two spring tube fixing grooves (216) for positioning and fixing the traction spring tube (23). The elastic snap-fit ​​head (211) and the spring tube fixing groove (216) are arranged separately along the circumferential direction of the insertion tube front connector (21), and one of the spring tube fixing grooves (216) is offset from the central axis of the insertion tube front connector (21) by 3°~7°.

6. The flexible endoscope insertion assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: The outer periphery of the insertion tube rear connector (22) is provided with a limiting annular platform (222) integrated with it. The insertion tube rear connector (22) and the two sides of the limiting annular platform (222) are respectively provided with two elastic snap holes (221) arranged symmetrically along it and four solder holes evenly arranged along its circumference and used to form a fixed connection with the braided mesh tube (12).

7. The flexible endoscope insertion assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: The bend unit includes a two-way bend snake bone or a four-way bend snake bone, and both the two-way bend snake bone and the four-way bend snake bone include a front connecting ring (31) and a rear connecting ring (33) of the snake bone, as well as a plurality of middle connecting rings (32) of the snake bone between the front connecting ring (31) and the rear connecting ring (33). The snake-bone front connecting ring (31) has a front connecting part (311) and the front connecting part (311) is provided with a front elastic buckle slot (312). The snake-bone middle connecting ring (32) has a middle connecting part (321) at both ends, and the middle connecting parts (321) at both ends of the snake-bone middle connecting ring (32) are respectively provided with a middle elastic buckle (322) and a middle elastic buckle slot (323). The snake-bone rear connecting ring (33) has a rear connecting part (331) and the rear connecting part (331) is provided with a rear elastic buckle (332). The intermediate elastic buckle (322) of the snake bone middle connecting ring (32) adjacent to the snake bone front connecting ring (31) is engaged in the front elastic buckle slot (312) of the front connecting part (311), and the rear elastic buckle (332) of the snake bone rear connecting ring (33) is engaged in the intermediate elastic buckle slot (323) of the snake bone middle connecting ring (32) adjacent to it. The front connecting ring (31) of the snake bone and the adjacent middle connecting ring (32) of the snake bone, the rear connecting ring (33) of the snake bone and the adjacent middle connecting ring (32) of the snake bone, and two adjacent middle connecting rings (32) of the snake bone are all connected as a whole by elastic connecting rods (34). In the bidirectional curved snake bone, the middle elastic buckle (322) of one of the two adjacent snake bone connecting rings (32) is engaged in the middle elastic buckle slot (323) of the other snake bone connecting ring. The middle elastic buckle (322) of one of the two adjacent snake bone connecting rings (32) in the four-way curved snake bone is rotated 90° and then snapped into the middle elastic buckle slot (323) of the other snake bone connecting ring. The barb (212) of the front connector (21) of the insertion tube is inserted into the insertion hole of the rear connector (33) of the snake bone.

8. The flexible endoscope insertion assembly according to claim 7, characterized in that: The front connecting part (311) of the front connecting ring (31), the middle connecting part (321) of the middle connecting ring (32), and the rear connecting part (331) of the rear connecting ring (33) are all double-layer stepped structures. The first step of the front connecting part (311) is provided with a front elastic buckle groove (312), and the second step is provided with a front positioning connection hole. The two intermediate connecting parts (321) are respectively provided with intermediate elastic buckles (322) and intermediate elastic buckle slots (323) on their first-level steps, and intermediate positioning connecting holes are provided on their second-level steps. The first step of the rear connecting part (331) is provided with a rear elastic buckle (332), and the second step is provided with a rear positioning connection hole. The elastic connecting pins (341) at both ends of the elastic connecting rod (34) connecting the front connecting ring (31) of the snake bone and the adjacent middle connecting ring (32) of the snake bone are respectively inserted into the front positioning connecting hole and the middle positioning connecting hole on the corresponding secondary step. The elastic connecting pins (341) at both ends of the elastic connecting rod (34) connecting the rear connecting ring (33) of the snake bone and the adjacent middle connecting ring (32) of the snake bone are respectively inserted into the rear positioning connecting hole and the middle positioning connecting hole on the corresponding secondary step. The elastic connecting pins (341) at both ends of the elastic connecting rod (34) connecting the two adjacent snake bone connecting rings (32) are respectively inserted into the intermediate positioning connecting holes on the corresponding secondary steps. The surface of the elastic connecting rod (34) is lower than the maximum outer diameter of the front connecting ring (31), the middle connecting ring (32), and the rear connecting ring (33).

9. The flexible endoscope insertion assembly according to claim 7, characterized in that: The elastic connecting rod (34) is U-shaped in general and includes a connecting rod body (342) and elastic connecting pins (341) located at both ends of the connecting rod body (342). The elastic connecting pins (341) have axial shrinkage notches that facilitate snap-fitting.

10. The flexible endoscope insertion assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: When the bending unit includes a two-way bending snake bone, the two-way bending snake bone is provided with two traction steel wire ropes, and the two traction steel wire ropes are respectively inserted into the corresponding traction spring tubes (23) fixed on the front connecting ring (21) of the insertion tube. The outer periphery of the two-way bending snake bone is provided with a flexible protective sleeve. When the bending unit includes a four-way bending snake bone, the four-way bending snake bone is provided with four traction steel wire ropes, and the four traction steel wire ropes are respectively inserted into the corresponding traction spring tubes (23) fixed on the front connecting ring (21) of the insertion tube, and the outer periphery of the four-way bending snake bone is provided with a flexible protective sleeve.

11. The flexible endoscope insertion assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: The curved unit includes a curved snake bone and a camera headstock (35) located on the head of the curved snake bone. The camera headstock (35) is connected to the curved snake bone by a headstock screw in the radial direction. The end of the camera headstock (35) has a camera mounting hole, two light guide holes, a channel hole for minimally invasive instruments, and a mounting hole for a cleaning lens water and air nozzle.

12. The flexible endoscope insertion assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: The operating handle connection unit includes a fixing nut (41), an elastic adapter (42), a sealing conical sleeve (43), and an insert (44). The fixing nut (41) is fitted around the outer periphery of the insertion tube rear connector (22) and is detachably connected to the elastic adapter (42). The limiting annular platform (222) on the outer periphery of the insertion tube rear connector (22) abuts against the inner wall of the fixing nut (41), and the elastic adapter (42) is precisely fitted with the elastic snap hole (221). The operating handle (5) is sealed to the elastic adapter (42) by a radial screw and a sealing ring. The sealing conical sleeve (43) is fitted around the outer periphery of the flexible protective hose (13). At the same time, the operating handle (5) is connected to the sealing conical sleeve (43) by the insert (44).

13. The flexible endoscope insertion assembly according to claim 12, characterized in that: The end of the elastic adapter (42) has an elastic adapter hook (421) arranged symmetrically thereon, and the elastic adapter hook (421) is engaged in the elastic engagement hole (221) of the insert tube rear connector (22).

14. The flexible endoscope insertion assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: The spring tube (11) is formed by winding two steel strips with different hardnesses, giving the spring tube (11) a front section (111) and a rear section (112) that are connected as one piece. The thickness of the steel strip is 0.07mm ~ 0.11mm, and the width is 1.3mm ~ 2.1mm. The hardness of the front section (111) of the spring tube (11) is less than that of the rear section (112), and the pitch of the front section (111) is 1.7mm ~ 2.5mm, while the pitch of the rear section (112) is 2.8mm ~ 3.4mm. The braided mesh tube (12) covering the outer periphery of the rear section (112) is coated with a polyurethane layer formed by the curing of liquid polyurethane, and the outer periphery of the flexible protective hose (13) is also provided with a polyurethane film protective layer (14).

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