Hardness adjusting mechanism and endoscope

Abstract

The utility model provides a hardness adjusting mechanism and an endoscope, the endoscope comprises an operation part, an insertion part and a hardness adjusting mechanism, and the hardness adjusting mechanism sleeves the insertion part. The hardness adjusting mechanism comprises a first fixed part, a movable part and a plurality of linear parts; the first fixing piece is fixedly sleeved outside the insertion part; the movable part is movably sleeved outside the insertion part; one end of the linear part is fixedly connected with the first fixed part, and the other end of the linear part is fixedly connected with the movable part; the linear components are distributed between the first fixing piece and the second fixing piece at intervals in the circumferential direction. The movable part can move to tension or loosen all the linear parts so as to adjust the hardness of all the linear parts. The insertion part is sleeved with the hardness adjusting mechanism, so that the hardness of the insertion part is adjustable, and meanwhile, the hardness adjusting mechanism is convenient to disassemble and assemble.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application belongs to the technical field of medical devices, and more specifically, to a hardness adjustment mechanism and an endoscope. Background Art

[0002] Doctors often use endoscopes in situations such as digestive tract inspection, respiratory tract inspection, and therapeutic surgery. Endoscopes are generally composed of three major parts: a connecting part, an operating part, and an insertion part. The insertion part includes a flexible part, a curved part, and a front end that are connected in sequence, and the flexible part is connected to the operating part. On the one hand, when the endoscope is inserted into the human body, in order to ensure that the force used by the doctor to operate the endoscope can be transmitted to the insertion part, and in order to ensure that the insertion part can be smoothly inserted into the natural cavity, the insertion part needs to have sufficient hardness; on the other hand, the natural cavity of the human body, especially the structure of the intestine, is complex. Excessive hardness of the insertion part will cause the insertion part to hit the intestinal wall, causing discomfort to the patient and affecting the user experience of the endoscope.

[0003] Therefore, an insert with adjustable hardness is needed to meet practical needs. Utility Model Content

[0004] The purpose of the embodiments of the present application is to provide a hardness adjustment mechanism and an endoscope to solve the technical problem in the prior art that an insertion portion with adjustable hardness is required to meet actual needs.

[0005] To achieve the above-mentioned purpose, the technical solution adopted in the present application is: a hardness adjustment mechanism is provided, which is used to be sleeved outside the adjusted part, and the hardness adjustment mechanism includes a first fixed part, a movable part and a plurality of linear parts; the first fixed part is configured to be fixedly sleeved outside the adjusted part; the movable part is configured to be movably sleeved outside the adjusted part; one end of the linear part is fixedly connected to the first fixed part, and the other end of the linear part is fixedly connected to the movable part; each of the linear parts is distributed at intervals along the circumferential direction between the first fixed part and the movable part; the movable part can move to tighten or loosen each of the linear parts to adjust the hardness of each of the linear parts.

[0006] In one embodiment, the linear member is a flexible string or an elastic string.

[0007] In one embodiment, the movable member is rotatable relative to the first fixed member so that each of the linear members is arranged in a spiral shape.

[0008] In one embodiment, the hardness adjustment mechanism further includes a second fixing member, which is configured to be fixedly sleeved outside the adjusted member, and the movable member is movably connected to the second fixing member.

[0009] In one embodiment, the movable member is rotatably sleeved with the second fixed member, and a positioning structure for locking the rotated movable member is provided between the movable member and the second fixed member.

[0010] In one embodiment, the positioning structure includes:

[0011] an elastic member, mounted on the second fixing member;

[0012] A positioning block, mounted on the elastic member;

[0013] A positioning groove is formed on the movable member; the elastic member is used to push the positioning block into the positioning groove to limit the rotation of the movable member.

[0014] In one embodiment, the second fixing member is threadedly connected to the movable member.

[0015] In one embodiment, an elastic member is connected between the second fixing member and the movable member.

[0016] In one embodiment, a friction plate is sleeved between the second fixed member and the movable member, and the friction plate is used to increase the rotational friction between the movable member and the second fixed member.

[0017] In one embodiment, the movable member can slide axially relative to the first fixed member to adjust the tightness of the linear member.

[0018] In one embodiment, the natural lengths of the linear members are the same;

[0019] Alternatively, the natural lengths of the linear components are distributed in steps.

[0020] In one embodiment, at least a portion of the first fixing member in the axial direction is elastic and is used to elastically abut against the outer peripheral wall of the adjusted member.

[0021] In one embodiment, the hardness adjustment mechanism further includes a sleeve, which is sleeved outside each of the linear components, and opposite ends of the sleeve are respectively fixedly connected to the first fixing member and the second fixing member.

[0022] The beneficial effect of the hardness adjustment mechanism provided by the present application is that: the hardness adjustment mechanism provided by the embodiment of the present application, by fixing the opposite ends of the linear component to the first fixed component and the movable component respectively, and the first fixed component is fixedly sleeved outside the adjusted component, and the movable component is movably sleeved outside the adjusted component, so that the linear component can be tightened or loosened by the movable component, thereby adjusting the hardness of the linear component, and then adjusting the overall hardness of each linear component. When the hardness adjustment mechanism is sleeved outside the flexible part in the insertion part of the endoscope, the hardness of the entire flexible part can be adjusted by adjusting the hardness of the hardness adjustment mechanism, so that the insertion part in the endoscope has sufficient hardness to ensure that the force of the doctor operating the endoscope can be transmitted to the insertion part, and the insertion part can be smoothly inserted into the natural cavity; at the same time, the hardness of the insertion part can also be adjusted, so that when the insertion part encounters a complex intestinal tract, the hardness can be reduced so that the insertion part does not touch the intestinal wall, thereby improving the user experience. In addition, since the hardness adjustment mechanism is sleeved outside the flexible part, it is convenient for disassembly, replacement and maintenance.

[0023] In the second aspect, the present application also provides an endoscope, including an operating part, an insertion part and the above-mentioned hardness adjustment mechanism, wherein the hardness adjustment mechanism is sleeved outside the insertion part, the first fixing part is fixedly sleeved on the insertion part or the operating part, and the movable part is movably sleeved on the insertion part.

[0024] The beneficial effect of the endoscope provided by the present application is that the endoscope provided by the embodiment of the present application, through the setting of the above-mentioned hardness adjustment mechanism, makes the hardness of the insertion part of the endoscope adjustable, improves the user experience, and improves the operation efficiency and success rate. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application, the drawings required for use in the embodiments or the description of the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present application. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without paying any creative work.

[0026] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the assembly of the hardness adjustment mechanism and the insertion part provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0027] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of the hardness adjustment mechanism provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0028] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the side structure of a first fixing member, a movable member, a third fixing member, a sleeve and a linear member in the hardness adjustment mechanism provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0029] Figure 4 for Figure 3 Middle AA section view;

[0030] Figure 5 for Figure 4 A magnified schematic diagram of a part of middle B;

[0031] Figure 6 for Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the structure of the first fixed member, the movable member, the third fixed member and the linear member in the medium hardness adjustment mechanism;

[0032] Figure 7 for Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the structure of the second fixing member, the elastic member and the positioning block;

[0033] Figure 8 A schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of a hardness adjustment mechanism provided in another embodiment of the present application;

[0034] Fig. 9 A schematic side structural diagram of a hardness adjustment mechanism provided in another embodiment of the present application;

[0035] Fig.10 for Fig. 9 Middle CC cutaway diagram;

[0036] Fig.11 for Fig.10 The enlarged schematic diagram of the part D in the middle;

[0037] Fig.12 This is a structural schematic diagram of a hardness adjustment mechanism without a sleeve in another embodiment of the present application;

[0038] Fig.13 for Fig.12 Schematic diagram of the structure of the moving parts;

[0039] Fig.14 Schematic diagram of the structure of the hardness adjustment mechanism in another embodiment of the present application.

[0040] Among them, the reference numerals in the figure are:

[0041] 1. Hardness adjustment mechanism; 11. First fixing member; 12. Linear member; 121. First end; 122. Second end; 13. Movable member; 131. Insertion portion; 132. Stopping portion; 133. Protrusion; 134. Matching portion; 14. Second fixing member; 141. First connecting section; 142. Mounting section; 1421. Step; 143. Second connecting section; 144. Groove; 145. Annular groove; 146. Accommodating groove; 15. Positioning structure; 151. Elastic member; 152. Positioning block; 153. Positioning groove; 16. Sleeve; 17. Third fixing member; 171. Matching groove; 18. Resetting member; 2. Insertion portion; 21. Flexible portion; 22. Bending portion; 23. Front end portion. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0042] In order to make the technical problems, technical solutions and beneficial effects to be solved by the present application more clearly understood, the present application is further described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only used to explain the present application and are not used to limit the present application.

[0043] It should be noted that when an element is referred to as being "fixed to" or "disposed on" another element, it can be directly on the other element or indirectly on the other element. When an element is referred to as being "connected to" another element, it can be directly connected to the other element or indirectly connected to the other element.

[0044] It should be understood that the terms "length", "width", "up", "down", "front", "back", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inside", "outside", etc., indicating the orientation or position relationship, are based on the orientation or position relationship shown in the drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing the present application and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be understood as a limitation on the present application.

[0045] In addition, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be understood as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of the indicated technical features. Thus, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of the features. In the description of this application, the meaning of "plurality" is two or more, unless otherwise clearly and specifically defined.

[0046] Doctors often use endoscopes in situations such as digestive tract inspection, respiratory tract inspection and therapeutic surgery. Endoscopes are generally composed of three major parts: a connecting part, an operating part and an insertion part. The insertion part includes a flexible part, a curved part and a front end. On the one hand, when the endoscope is inserted into the human body, in order to ensure that the force used by the doctor to operate the endoscope can be transmitted to the insertion part, and in order to ensure that the insertion part can be smoothly inserted into the natural cavity, the insertion part needs to have sufficient hardness; on the other hand, the natural cavity of the human body, especially the structure of the intestine, is complex. Excessive hardness of the insertion part will cause the insertion part to hit the intestinal wall, causing discomfort to the patient and affecting the user experience of the endoscope.

[0047] Therefore, an insert with adjustable hardness is needed to meet practical needs.

[0048] To this end, on the first aspect, the embodiment of the present application provides a hardness adjustment mechanism 1, which is sleeved outside the flexible portion 21 of the insertion portion 2 to adjust the hardness of the flexible portion 21, so that the insertion portion 2 in the endoscope has sufficient hardness to ensure that the force used by the doctor to operate the endoscope can be transmitted to the insertion portion 2, and to ensure that the insertion portion 2 can be smoothly inserted into the natural cavity; at the same time, the hardness of the insertion portion 2 can be adjusted so that when the insertion portion 2 encounters a complex intestinal tract, the hardness can be reduced so that the insertion portion 2 does not touch the intestinal wall, thereby improving the user experience. In addition, since the hardness adjustment mechanism 1 is sleeved outside the flexible portion 21, it is easy to disassemble, replace and maintain.

[0049] See also Figures 1 to 6 , the hardness adjustment mechanism 1 provided in the embodiment of the present application is now described in detail. The hardness adjustment mechanism 1 is used to be sleeved outside the adjusted part to adjust the hardness of the adjusted part. The adjusted part refers to a structure with softness and elastic deformation, which can bend and deform under the action of external force and can recover the deformation after the external force disappears. For the convenience of explanation, the adjusted part is referred to as the flexible part 21 hereinafter.

[0050] The hardness adjustment mechanism 1 includes a first fixed part 11, a movable part 13 and a plurality of linear parts 12; the first fixed part 11 is configured to be fixedly sleeved outside the adjusted part; the movable part 13 is configured to be movably sleeved outside the adjusted part; one end of the linear part 12 is fixedly connected to the first fixed part 11, and the other end of the linear part 12 is fixedly connected to the movable part 13; the linear parts 12 are distributed at intervals along the circumferential direction between the first fixed part 11 and the movable part 13; the movable part 13 can move to tighten or loosen the linear parts 12 to adjust the hardness of the linear parts 12.

[0051] The linear component 12 refers to a linear structural member, which may be an elastic component that can be elastically deformed under an external force and recover its elasticity after the external force disappears, or a flexible component that can be elastically deformed under an external force and cannot recover its elasticity after the external force disappears.

[0052] During assembly, the first fixing member 11 is fixedly sleeved outside the flexible portion 21, and the movable member 13 is movably sleeved outside the flexible portion 21. The movable member 13 can be movable, which may mean that the movable member 13 rotates relative to the first fixing member 11, or the movable member 13 moves relative to the first fixing member 11 along the axial direction of the flexible portion 21. When the movable member 13 rotates, the distance between one end of the linear component 12 and the other end gradually increases or decreases, so that the linear component 12 is tightened or relaxed to adjust the hardness of the linear component 12; when the movable member 13 moves relative to the first fixing member 11, the distance between one end of the linear component 12 and the other end gradually increases or decreases, so that the linear component 12 is tightened or relaxed to adjust the hardness of the linear component 12.

[0053] The hardness adjustment mechanism 1 in the embodiment of the present application is configured to fix the opposite ends of the linear component 12 to the first fixed component 11 and the movable component 13 respectively, and to fix the first fixed component 11 outside the adjusted component, and to flexibly cover the movable component 13 outside the adjusted component, so that the linear component 12 can be tightened or loosened by the movable component 13, thereby adjusting the hardness of the linear component 12, and then adjusting the overall hardness of each linear component 12. When the hardness adjustment mechanism 1 is sleeved outside the flexible portion 21 in the insertion portion 2 of the endoscope, the hardness of the entire flexible portion 21 can be adjusted by adjusting the hardness of the hardness adjustment mechanism 1, so that the insertion portion 2 in the endoscope has sufficient hardness to ensure that the force of the doctor operating the endoscope can be transmitted to the insertion portion 2, and the insertion portion 2 can be smoothly inserted into the natural cavity; at the same time, the hardness of the insertion portion 2 can also be adjusted, so that when the insertion portion 2 encounters a complex intestinal tract, the hardness can be reduced so that the insertion portion 2 does not touch the intestinal wall, thereby improving the user experience. In addition, since the hardness adjustment mechanism 1 is sleeved outside the flexible portion 21 , it is convenient for disassembly, replacement and maintenance.

[0054] In one embodiment, the linear component 12 may also be an elastic rope, such as a rubber rope, a silicone rope, etc. When the elastic rope is in a relaxed state, it has a certain hardness, and the tighter the linear component 12 is pulled, the greater the hardness. The linear component 12 may also be a metal wire rope, such as a steel wire rope, an iron wire rope, or a copper wire rope. The metal wire rope itself has a certain hardness and elasticity. The movable part 13 drives one end of the metal wire rope to rotate so that each metal wire rope is arranged in a spiral shape to increase the hardness and density of the metal wire rope, thereby increasing the hardness of the entire hardness adjustment mechanism 1; or, the movable part 13 drives one end of the metal wire rope to move so that each metal wire rope is straightened to increase the hardness of each metal wire rope.

[0055] In another embodiment, the linear component 12 is a flexible rope, such as a fiber rope, a nylon rope, etc. When the flexible rope is in a relaxed state, its hardness is relatively small, and when the flexible rope is in a taut state, its hardness is relatively large.

[0056] In one embodiment, see Figure 2 , Figures 4 to 6 , the hardness adjustment mechanism 1 also includes a second fixing member 14, which is configured to be fixedly sleeved outside the adjusted member, and the movable member 13 is movably connected to the second fixing member 14. Specifically, the first fixing member 11 and the second fixing member 14 are arranged at intervals along the axial direction of the adjusted member, and the first fixing member 11 and the second fixing member 14 are both fixedly arranged relative to the adjusted member, that is, the opposite ends of the hardness adjustment mechanism 1 are respectively fixedly arranged, and no displacement occurs, thereby ensuring the installation stability of the hardness adjustment mechanism 1 in the endoscope; at the same time, the setting of the second fixing member 14 also provides support for the movable member 13, thereby ensuring the movement stability of the movable member 13. It can be understood that in other embodiments of the present application, the second fixing member 14 may not be provided, but the movable member 13 may be directly and movably arranged on the operating portion or the flexible portion 21, which is not the only limitation here.

[0057] In one embodiment, see Figures 4 to 6 , the movable member 13 can rotate relative to the first fixed member 11 so that each linear member 12 is arranged in a spiral shape. Assume that the linear member 12 has a first end 121 and a second end 122, the first end 121 is fixedly connected to the first fixed member 11, and the second end 122 is fixedly connected to the movable member 13. In the initial state, the first end 121 and the second end 122 of the same linear member 12 are located at the same circumferential position, and when the movable member 13 rotates, the second end 122 rotates with the movable member 13, so that the second end 122 and the first end 121 are staggered along the circumferential direction. When the movable part 13 rotates one circle, the linear component 12 is arranged around the flexible part 21 for one circle. When the movable part 13 rotates N circles, the number of circles of the linear component 12 around the flexible part 21 is N circles, and the number of circles of the M linear components 12 around the flexible part 21 is N×M circles. In this way, the hardness of the entire hardness adjustment mechanism 1 can be increased by increasing the distribution density of the linear components 12. At the same time, the length of the linear component 12 will be lengthened when it is wound, and its own hardness will also increase.

[0058] In one embodiment, see Figures 4 to 7 The movable member 13 is rotatably sleeved with the second fixing member 14, and a positioning structure 15 for locking the rotating movable member 13 is provided between the movable member 13 and the second fixing member 14. The positioning structure 15 can be provided to lock the adjusted movable member 13, so as to avoid the movement of the movable member 13 during the use of the endoscope, thereby preventing the hardness of the insertion portion 2 from being unstable.

[0059] In one embodiment, see Figure 2 , Figure 6 and Figure 7 The positioning structure 15 includes an elastic member 151, a positioning block 152 and a positioning groove 153; the elastic member 151 is installed on the second fixing member 14; the positioning block 152 is installed on the elastic member 151; the positioning groove 153 is formed on the movable member 13; the elastic member 151 is used to push the positioning block 152 into the positioning groove 153 to limit the rotation of the movable member 13.

[0060] Under normal use, the positioning block 152 is inserted into the positioning groove 153 under the elastic force of the elastic member 151, and the movable member 13 is relatively fixed to the second fixing member 14. When the hardness of the hardness adjustment mechanism 1 needs to be adjusted, the positioning block 152 is manually removed from the positioning groove 153, and the elastic member 151 is compressed and accumulates elastic force; the movable member 13 is rotated, and when the movable member 13 rotates to a suitable position, the positioning block 152 is inserted into the positioning groove 153 under the elastic force of the elastic member 151, and the rotation of the movable member 13 is restricted.

[0061] In one embodiment, see Figure 2 The second fixing member 14 is threadedly connected to the movable member 13. The threaded connection allows the movable member 13 to rotate relative to the second fixing member 14, and also ensures the connection reliability between the movable member 13 and the second fixing member 14, thereby reducing the problem of the movable member 13 being pulled by the linear member 12 and causing axial movement, and also reduces the problem of the movable member 13 and the linear member 12 being retained in the human body due to unstable installation when the insertion portion is withdrawn from the human body.

[0062] In one embodiment, see Figure 7 The second fixing member 14 includes a first connecting section 141, a mounting section 142 and a second connecting section 143 which are sequentially connected in the axial direction. The outer diameter of the mounting section 142 is larger than that of the first connecting section 141 and the second connecting section 143. A step 1421 is formed between the mounting section 142 and the second connecting section 143. The first connecting section 141 is fixedly sleeved on the adjusted member, the second connecting section 143 is threadedly adjusted with the movable member 13, the elastic member 151 is sleeved on the second connecting section 143, one end of the elastic member 151 is fixedly connected with the step 1421, the positioning block 152 is fixed on the other end of the elastic member 151, and the positioning groove 153 is formed on the end surface of the movable member 13 facing the step 1421.

[0063] In one embodiment, see Figures 4 to 6, the hardness adjustment mechanism 1 also includes a sleeve 16 and a third fixing member 17; the third fixing member 17 is rotatably sleeved with one end of the movable member 13 away from the second fixing member 14, and an axial limit is formed between the third fixing member 17 and the movable member 13; the sleeve 16 is sleeved outside each linear component 12, and the opposite ends of the sleeve 16 are respectively fixed to the first fixing member 11 and the third fixing member 17. Among them, the setting of the sleeve 16 is used to shield and protect each linear component 12 on the one hand, and can also provide support for each linear component 12 on the other hand to ensure the hardness of each linear component 12; in addition, the sleeve 16 can connect the first fixing member 11, the third fixing member 17, the movable member 13 and the second fixing member 14 as a whole, so as to ensure the structural stability of the entire hardness adjustment mechanism 1 and facilitate the transportation and disassembly of the hardness adjustment mechanism 1. In addition, the setting of the third fixing member 17 can realize the axial limit of the sleeve 16 and ensure the stability of the axial length of the sleeve 16.

[0064] In one embodiment, the sleeve 16 is made of an elastic plastic material such as rubber or silicone, so that the sleeve 16 is elastic and can be bent and deformed along with the insertion portion 2 to be inserted into the human body.

[0065] In one embodiment, see Figure 5 A truncated cone-shaped mating groove 171 is formed at one end of the third fixing member 17 facing the movable member 13, and a truncated cone-shaped mating portion 134 is formed at one end of the movable member 13 away from the second fixing member 14. The mating portion 134 is inserted into the mating groove 171 to form a rotational fit and axial limit fit between the movable member 13 and the third fixing member 17.

[0066] In another embodiment of the present application, see Figures 8 to 13 , the limit between the movable part 13 and the second fixed part 14 can also be in other forms. Specifically, the second fixed part 14 is sleeved outside the movable part 13, and the second fixed part 14 is fixedly connected with the insertion part or the operating part through an extension structure. A protrusion 133 is formed on the movable part 13, and a plurality of grooves 144 are formed on the second fixed part 14. The protrusion 133 and the groove 144 are matched to limit the rotation of the movable part 13. After the hardness is adjusted, the movable part 13 can be rotated until the protrusion 133 and the groove 144 are engaged with each other, thereby limiting the rotation of the movable part 13.

[0067] There may be multiple grooves 144, which are evenly distributed along the circumference of the second fixing member 14. When the movable member 13 rotates, the protrusion 133 can be inserted into different grooves 144, so that when the movable member 13 is adjusted to a suitable position, the protrusion 133 can be inserted into the nearest groove 144.

[0068] See also Fig.11, an annular groove 145 is also formed on the second fixing member 14, and the annular groove 145 and the groove 144 are distributed along the axial direction of the second fixing member 14, and the movable member 13 can slide along its axial direction so that the protrusion 133 is alternately arranged in the groove 144 and the annular groove 145. In the initial state, the protrusion 133 is engaged with the corresponding groove 144, and the position of the movable member 13 is fixed. When the hardness needs to be adjusted, the movable member 13 is driven to slide along its axial direction so that the protrusion 133 slides out of the groove 144 and slides into the annular groove 145. Since the annular groove 145 is set through the circumference of the second fixing member 14, the protrusion 133 can slide circumferentially on the annular groove 145, and then the movable member 13 can rotate relative to the second fixing member 14. After the hardness is adjusted, the movable member 13 is driven to slide along its axial direction by external force so that the protrusion 133 slides out of the annular groove 145 and slides into the groove 144, so as to lock and limit the movable member 13.

[0069] See also Fig.11 , a reset member 18 is connected between the second fixed member 14 and the movable member 13. When the protrusion 133 is engaged with the groove 144, the reset member 18 is in a free state, and when the protrusion 133 slides in the annular groove 145, the reset member 18 is in a stretched state and accumulates energy; when the position of the movable member 13 is adjusted, when the protrusion 133 is withdrawn from the annular groove 145, the movable member 13 is automatically axially reset under the elastic force of the reset member 18. Among them, the setting of the reset member 18 can automatically reset the movable member 13, and the reset stroke is determined without manual operation. It can be understood that in other embodiments of the present application, the reset member 18 may not be set between the second fixed member 14 and the movable member 13, but the movable member 13 may be directly reset manually, which is not the only limitation here.

[0070] In one embodiment, see Fig.11 A receiving groove 146 is formed on the side of the second fixing member 14 facing away from the first fixing member 11, and the movable member 13 includes a plug-in portion 131 and a stop portion 132 connected in a stepped manner. The plug-in portion 131 is inserted into the receiving groove 146, and the stop portion 132 is stopped on the side of the second fixing member 14 facing away from the first fixing member 11. The reset member 18 is received in the receiving groove 146, and the reset member 18 abuts between the second fixing member 14 and the first fixing member 11. The setting of the receiving groove 146 facilitates the reception of the reset member 18, and also facilitates the sliding connection between the movable member 13 and the second fixing member 14. The groove 144 and the annular groove 145 are formed on the inner peripheral wall of the second fixing member 14, and the protrusion 133 is formed on the outer peripheral wall of the movable member 13. The setting of the stop portion 132 can limit the depth of the movable member 13 inserted into the receiving groove 146.

[0071] In other embodiments of the present application, the groove 144 and the annular groove 145 may also be formed on the movable member 13 , and the protrusion 133 may be formed on the second fixed member 14 , which is not a sole limitation herein.

[0072] In another embodiment of the present application, the rotation of the movable part 13 can also be locked by other means. A friction plate is sleeved between the second fixed part 14 and the movable part 13. The friction plate is used to increase the rotational friction between the movable part 13 and the second fixed part 14. In this way, the movable part 13 can be rotated to adjust the hardness of the hardness adjustment mechanism 1 only when driven by a larger external force. During the use of the endoscope, the movable part 13 will not rotate automatically, thereby ensuring the stability of the hardness adjustment mechanism 1.

[0073] In other embodiments of this application, please refer to Fig.14 The movable member 13 can slide axially relative to the first fixed member 11 to adjust the tightness of the linear member 12. When the movable member 13 moves away from the first fixed member 11, the length of the linear member 12 increases, the linear member 12 is tightened and the hardness increases, and the hardness of each linear member 12 increases, thereby increasing the hardness of the entire hardness adjustment mechanism 1; when the movable member 13 moves toward the first fixed member 11, the length of the linear member 12 decreases, the linear member 12 relaxes and the hardness decreases, and the hardness of each linear member 12 decreases, thereby reducing the hardness of the entire hardness adjustment mechanism 1.

[0074] For details, please refer to Fig.14 The movable member 13 is slidably connected with the second fixed member 14 , and the movable member 13 slides relative to the second fixed member 14 to adjust the tightness of the linear member 12 .

[0075] In one embodiment, the natural lengths of the linear components 12 are the same. The natural length refers to the length of the linear component 12 after molding without the action of external forces. When the natural lengths of the linear components 12 are the same, when the movable member 13 is slidably disposed relative to the first fixed member 11, the linear components 12 are synchronously lengthened or shortened, that is, in any state, the hardness of the linear components 12 is the same, and the hardness of the hardness adjustment mechanism 1 is the superposition of the hardness of the linear components 12. When different degrees of hardness adjustment are required, the movable member 13 only needs to be slid relative to the first fixed member 11 by different lengths.

[0076] In another embodiment, see Fig.14, the natural length of each linear component 12 is distributed in a step-like manner. For the convenience of description, the three linear components 12 in the figure are named as the first linear component 12a, the second linear component 12b and the third linear component 12c. When the movable member 13 is in the first position L1, the first linear component 12a is in a taut state, the second linear component 12b and the third linear component 12c are in a relaxed state, and the hardness adjustment mechanism 1 has a first hardness value; when the movable member 13 is in the second position L2, the first linear component 12a and the second linear component 12b are in a taut state, the third linear component 12c is in a relaxed state, and the hardness adjustment mechanism 1 has a second hardness value; when the movable member 13 is in the third position L3, the first linear component 12a, the second linear component 12b and the third linear component 12c are all in a taut state, and the hardness adjustment mechanism 1 has a third hardness value, the third hardness value is greater than the second hardness value, and the second hardness value is greater than the first hardness value, so that a hardness gradient is formed to facilitate hardness adjustment.

[0077] In one embodiment, the sliding position of the movable member 13 can be locked by concave-convex matching to lock the movable member 13 in a preset position. Alternatively, the sliding position of the movable member 13 can be locked by rotating the buckle. For example, when the movable member 13 slides in the first position L1, the second position L2 and the third position L3, the movable member 13 can be rotated to engage the rotating buckle between the movable member 13 and the second fixing member 14.

[0078] In one embodiment, see Figure 1 and Figure 2 At least part of the first fixing member 11 along the axial direction is elastic and is used to elastically abut against the outer peripheral wall of the adjusted member. This arrangement allows the first fixing member 11 to be sealed and sleeved with the insertion portion 2. When the hardness adjustment mechanism 1 and the insertion portion 2 are inserted into the human body together, the tissue fluid inside the human body can be reduced from entering the inside of the hardness adjustment mechanism 1 from the gap between the first fixing member 11 and the insertion portion 2, thereby reducing the contamination of the hardness adjustment mechanism 1, increasing the service life of the hardness adjustment mechanism 1, and reducing the difficulty of disinfection and cleaning of the hardness adjustment mechanism 1. At the same time, it also prevents the first fixing member 11 and the insertion portion 2 from sliding relative to each other.

[0079] In one embodiment, the first fixing member 11 is elastic as a whole and is made of elastic material. It can be understood that in other embodiments, one section of the first fixing member 11 can also be set as an elastic section, which is not limited here.

[0080] In one embodiment, the linear component 12 is fixedly connected to the first fixing member 11 by welding. In other embodiments, the linear component 12 can also be fixedly connected to the first fixing member 11 by pressing, sewing or integral injection molding.

[0081] In one embodiment, the linear component 12 is fixedly connected to the movable component 13 by welding. In other embodiments, the linear component 12 can also be fixedly connected to the movable component 13 by pressing, sewing or integral injection molding.

[0082] On the second aspect, the present application also provides an endoscope, including an operating part, an insertion part 2 and a hardness adjustment mechanism 1, the hardness adjustment mechanism 1 is sleeved outside the insertion part 2, the first fixing part 11 is fixedly sleeved outside the insertion part 2 or the operating part, and the movable part 13 is movably sleeved on the insertion part 2.

[0083] Specifically, the insertion portion 2 includes a flexible portion 21, a bending portion 22 and a front end portion 23, the hardness adjustment mechanism 1 is sleeved outside the flexible portion 21, the first fixing member 11 is fixedly sleeved outside the flexible portion 21, and the movable member 13 is movably sleeved on the flexible portion 21 or the operating portion.

[0084] In one embodiment, the second fixing member 14 is fixedly sleeved on the insertion portion 2 or the operating portion, and the movable member 13 is movably sleeved on the second fixing member 14 .

[0085] The endoscope provided in the embodiment of the present application has an adjustable hardness of the insertion portion through the provision of the above-mentioned hardness adjustment mechanism, thereby improving the user experience and improving the surgical efficiency and success rate.

[0086] In a third aspect, the present application also provides an endoscope system, including an image processing device, a light source device, a display device, and an endoscope. The light source device is used to provide a light source for the endoscope to ensure that the endoscope can obtain images of the lesion site of the human body, the image processing device is connected to the endoscope for communication, the image processing device is used to receive the image information transmitted by the endoscope and process the image information, and the display device is connected to the image processing device for communication, and the display device is used to display the processed image for the doctor to observe and assist the operation.

[0087] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present application and is not intended to limit the present application. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions and improvements made within the spirit and principles of the present application should be included in the protection scope of the present application.

Claims

1. A hardness adjustment mechanism (1), used for sleeve connection outside the adjusted part, characterized in that: The hardness adjustment mechanism (1) comprises a first fixed part (11), a movable part (13) and a plurality of linear parts (12); The first fixing member (11) is configured to be fixedly sleeved outside the adjusted member; The movable member (13) is configured to be movably sleeved outside the adjusted member; One end of the linear component (12) is fixedly connected to the first fixed component (11), and the other end of the linear component (12) is fixedly connected to the movable component (13); The linear components (12) are spaced apart and distributed along the circumferential direction between the first fixed component (11) and the movable component (13); The movable member (13) can be moved to tighten or loosen each of the linear components (12) to adjust the hardness of each of the linear components (12).

2. The hardness adjustment mechanism (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that: The linear component (12) is a flexible rope or an elastic rope.

3. The hardness adjustment mechanism (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that: The movable member (13) is capable of rotating relative to the first fixed member (11) so that each of the linear members (12) is arranged in a spiral shape.

4. The hardness adjustment mechanism (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that: The hardness adjustment mechanism (1) further comprises a second fixing member (14), wherein the second fixing member (14) is arranged to be fixedly sleeved outside the adjusted member, and the movable member (13) is movably connected to the second fixing member (14).

5. The hardness adjustment mechanism (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that: The movable member (13) and the second fixed member (14) are rotatably sleeved, and a positioning structure (15) for locking the movable member (13) after rotation is provided between the movable member (13) and the second fixed member (14).

6. The hardness adjustment mechanism (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that: The positioning structure (15) comprises: An elastic member (151) is mounted on the second fixing member (14); A positioning block (152) mounted on the elastic member (151); A positioning groove (153) is formed on the movable member (13); the elastic member (151) is used to push the positioning block (152) into the positioning groove (153) to limit the rotation of the movable member (13).

7. The hardness adjustment mechanism (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that: The second fixing member (14) is threadedly connected to the movable member (13).

8. The hardness adjustment mechanism (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that: The movable member (13) can slide axially relative to the first fixed member (11) to adjust the tightness of the linear member (12).

9. The hardness adjustment mechanism (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that: The natural lengths of the linear components (12) are the same; Alternatively, the natural lengths of the linear components (12) are distributed in steps.

10. The hardness adjustment mechanism (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that: At least a portion of the first fixing member (11) in the axial direction is elastic and is used to elastically abut against the outer peripheral wall of the adjusted member.

11. An endoscope, characterized in that: It comprises an operating part, an insertion part (2) and a hardness adjustment mechanism (1) as described in any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the hardness adjustment mechanism (1) is sleeved outside the insertion part (2), the first fixing member (11) is fixedly sleeved outside the insertion part (2) or the operating part, and the movable member (13) is movably sleeved on the insertion part (2).

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