Soft and hard combined endoscope

Abstract

The utility model discloses a soft and hard combined endoscope, which relates to the field of medical instruments and comprises a flexible bending part, a rigid insertion tube and an operating handle, the rear end of the rigid insertion tube is connected with the operating handle in an insertion manner through an insertion part joint, and the front end of the rigid insertion tube is connected with the flexible bending part in a nesting manner; the rigid insertion tube sequentially comprises a rigid insertion tube outer tube, a middle insulating layer and a rigid insertion tube inner tube from outside to inside, and the two ends of the rigid insertion tube outer tube form axial inward-shrinking structures relative to the rigid insertion tube inner tube. The flexible bending part comprises a flexible bending part snake bone and flexible bending part rubber connected to the outer surface of the flexible bending part snake bone in a wrapping mode, and the tail end of the flexible bending part snake bone is connected with the inner pipe of the rigid insertion pipe in a nested mode through a connecting pipe; a swing arm is arranged on the operating handle and is in transmission connection with the flexible bending part snake bone through a turntable mechanism. According to the utility model, the stable structural support is provided while the flexible control is ensured, and the service life of the device is prolonged.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of medical devices, and in particular to a flexible and rigid endoscope. Background Technology

[0002] Endoscopes, as important medical diagnostic and therapeutic tools, are widely used in clinical medicine. Traditional endoscopes are mainly divided into two categories based on their structural characteristics: flexible endoscopes and rigid endoscopes. Flexible endoscopes, due to their flexible insertion section, are suitable for exploring complex cavities such as the digestive and respiratory tracts. However, their weaker support leads to insufficient operational precision and difficulty in providing stable force transmission during advancement, increasing the risk of tissue damage due to instrument vibration. Rigid endoscopes, on the other hand, offer clear imaging quality and precise operational control in surgical procedures due to the stability of their rigid structure. However, their completely rigid insertion section cannot adapt to the natural curvature of cavities, limiting their application in complex anatomical environments.

[0003] Therefore, how to develop a flexible and rigid endoscope that provides stable structural support and extends the lifespan of the device has become a technical problem that urgently needs to be solved by people in this field. Utility Model Content

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide a rigid-flexible endoscope that ensures flexible operation while providing stable structural support and extending the service life of the device.

[0005] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, the present invention adopts the following technical solution:

[0006] This utility model discloses a flexible and rigid endoscope, comprising a flexible bending section, a rigid insertion tube, and an operating handle. The rear end of the rigid insertion tube is connected to the operating handle via an insertion section connector, and the front end of the rigid insertion tube is nested and connected to the flexible bending section.

[0007] The rigid insertion tube comprises, from the outside to the inside, an outer rigid insertion tube, an intermediate insulating layer, and an inner rigid insertion tube. The axial length of the intermediate insulating layer is equal to the axial length of the inner rigid insertion tube. The axial length of the outer rigid insertion tube is less than the length of the inner rigid insertion tube. Both ends of the outer rigid insertion tube form an axially recessed structure relative to the inner rigid insertion tube. The distance between the axially recessed sections is greater than the safe creepage distance between the outer and inner rigid insertion tubes.

[0008] The flexible bending section includes a flexible bending section serpentine and a flexible bending section rubber covering and connected to the outer surface of the flexible bending section serpentine. The end of the flexible bending section serpentine is nested and connected to the inner tube of the rigid insertion tube through a connecting tube.

[0009] The operating handle is equipped with a swing arm, which is connected to the flexible bending section via a turntable mechanism and is used to control the upper and lower bending angles of the flexible bending section.

[0010] Preferably, the insertion connector is interference-fitted onto the outer circumferential surface of the rear end of the rigid insertion tube, and an annular sealing cavity is formed between the inner wall of the insertion connector and the outer surface of the intermediate insulating layer, wherein a first epoxy resin sealing layer is injected and cured into the annular sealing cavity.

[0011] Preferably, a sealing ring is provided around the outer periphery of the insertion part connector.

[0012] Preferably, the connecting tube has a variable diameter structure, and the end of the flexible bending section is provided with a plug end that matches the inner diameter of the large-diameter end of the connecting tube. The flexible bending section is interference-fitted or welded into the inner cavity of the large-diameter end of the connecting tube through the plug end. The small-diameter end of the connecting tube is embedded and connected to the inside of the rigid insertion tube. The flexible bending section rubber transition covers the outer peripheral wall of the connecting tube, and when the connecting tube and the rigid insertion tube are assembled, the end of the flexible bending section rubber abuts against the end of the rigid insertion tube.

[0013] Preferably, the outer surface of the flexible bending section rubber and the outer surface of the intermediate insulating layer are jointly coated with a second epoxy resin sealing layer.

[0014] Preferably, the swing arm is driven to the flexible curved section snake bone by a steel wire, and the two ends of the steel wire are respectively fixedly connected to the turntable mechanism of the swing arm and the head end snake bone segment of the flexible curved section snake bone.

[0015] Preferably, the operating handle is further provided with a working channel opening, which is connected to a working channel tube. The working channel tube is embedded in the inner cavity of the rigid insertion tube and the inner cavity of the flexible curved snake bone to form a continuous and through instrument operating channel.

[0016] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial technical effects of this utility model are as follows:

[0017] 1) By combining the insertion part with a flexible bending section at the front end and a rigid insertion tube at the rear end, this utility model retains the flexible steering capability of a flexible endoscope while possessing the stable support characteristics of a rigid endoscope. The rigid insertion tube ensures the stable transmission of propulsion force during operation, reducing the risk of instrument vibration. The flexible bending section, through the swing arm linkage snake bone structure, can precisely control the bending angle, flexibly adapt to complex cavity paths, and significantly reduce mechanical damage to patient tissues.

[0018] 2) The rigid insertion tube adopts a layered structure design, with the middle insulation layer sandwiched between the inner and outer tubes. It is not easily damaged during use and ensures the integrity of the insulation. At the same time, the distance between the inner tube of the rigid insertion tube and the outer extension of the middle insulation layer is greater than the safe creepage distance, further ensuring the safety of the device. Attached Figure Description

[0019] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0020] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of a rigid-flex endoscope according to the present invention;

[0021] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the connection structure between the flexible bending part and the rigid insertion tube of this utility model;

[0022] Figure 3 This utility model Figure 2 A partial structural cross-sectional view at point A in the middle;

[0023] Figure 4 This utility model Figure 2 A partial structural cross-sectional view at point B in the middle.

[0024] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached drawings: 1. Flexible bending section; 2. Rigid insertion tube; 3. Working channel opening; 4. Swing arm; 5. Operating handle; 6. Insertion section connector; 7. Sealing ring; 8. Connecting tube; 9. Flexible bending section serpentine structure; 10. Flexible bending section rubber; 11. First epoxy resin sealing layer; 12. Second epoxy resin sealing layer; 13. Rigid insertion tube outer tube; 14. Intermediate insulation layer; 15. Rigid insertion tube inner tube. Detailed Implementation

[0025] To make the technical problem to be solved, the technical solution, and the beneficial effects of this utility model clearer, the present utility model will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only used to explain this utility model and are not intended to limit this utility model.

[0026] like Figure 1-4 As shown, a rigid-flex endoscope includes a flexible bending section 1, a rigid insertion tube 2, and an operating handle 5. The rear end of the rigid insertion tube 2 is connected to the operating handle 5 via an insertion section connector 6, and the front end of the rigid insertion tube 2 is nested and connected to the flexible bending section 1.

[0027] The rigid insertion tube 2 comprises, from the outside to the inside, a rigid insertion tube outer tube 13, an intermediate insulating layer 14, and a rigid insertion tube inner tube 15. The axial length of the intermediate insulating layer 14 is equal to the axial length of the rigid insertion tube inner tube 15. The axial length of the rigid insertion tube outer tube 13 is less than the length of the rigid insertion tube inner tube 15. Both ends of the rigid insertion tube outer tube 13 form an axially recessed structure relative to the rigid insertion tube inner tube 15. The distance of the axial recess is greater than the safe creepage distance between the rigid insertion tube outer tube 13 and the rigid insertion tube inner tube 15.

[0028] The flexible bending part 1 includes a flexible bending part snake bone 9 and a flexible bending part rubber 10 covering and connected to the outer surface of the flexible bending part snake bone 9. The end of the flexible bending part snake bone 9 is nested and connected to the rigid insertion tube inner tube 15 through a connecting tube 8.

[0029] The operating handle 5 is provided with a swing arm 4, which is connected to the flexible bending section snake bone 9 through a turntable mechanism and is used to control the upper and lower bending angles of the flexible bending section 1.

[0030] Specifically, both the outer tube 13 and the inner tube 15 of the rigid insertion tube are made of medical stainless steel, and the intermediate insulating layer 14 is made of polyimide, polytetrafluoroethylene or ceramic matrix composite material.

[0031] Specifically, the insertion connector 6 is interference-fitted onto the outer peripheral surface of the rear end of the rigid insertion tube outer tube 13, and an annular sealing cavity is formed between the inner wall of the insertion connector 6 and the outer surface of the intermediate insulating layer 14, and a first epoxy resin sealing layer 11 is injected and cured into the annular sealing cavity.

[0032] Specifically, a sealing ring 7 is provided around the outer periphery of the insertion connector 6.

[0033] Specifically, the sealing ring 7 is provided to enhance the sealing performance of the connection between the insertion connector 6 and the operating handle 5.

[0034] Specifically, the connecting pipe 8 has a variable diameter structure, and the end of the flexible bending section 9 is provided with a plug end that matches the inner diameter of the large diameter end of the connecting pipe 8. The flexible bending section 9 is interference-fitted or welded into the inner cavity of the large diameter end of the connecting pipe 8 through the plug end. The small diameter end of the connecting pipe 8 is embedded and connected to the inside of the rigid insertion tube inner tube 15. The flexible bending section rubber 10 is covered on the outer peripheral wall of the connecting pipe 8. After the connecting pipe 8 and the rigid insertion tube inner tube 15 are assembled, the end of the flexible bending section rubber 10 abuts against the end of the rigid insertion tube inner tube 15.

[0035] Specifically, the outer surface of the flexible bending rubber 10 and the outer surface of the intermediate insulating layer 14 are jointly coated with a second epoxy resin sealing layer 12.

[0036] Specifically, based on the design concept of combining hard and soft components, this utility model sets the insertion part of the endoscope as a segmented combination structure. The rigid insertion tube 2 can provide the necessary structural support and stable propulsion force transmission to ensure the stable advancement of the endoscope during operation; while the flexible bending part 1 gives the front end of the insertion part flexible turning ability, which enables the endoscope to adapt to the complex internal environment and facilitates precise operation and observation by doctors.

[0037] Specifically, the rigid insertion tube 2 adopts a layered structure design, with the intermediate insulation layer 14 sandwiched between the outer tube 13 and the inner tube 15 of the rigid insertion tube. This makes the intermediate insulation layer 14 less susceptible to damage from external factors during actual use, thus ensuring the insulation integrity of the device and extending the service life of the endoscope. In addition, the distance between the inner tube 15 of the rigid insertion tube and the outer extension of the intermediate insulation layer 14 is greater than the safe creepage distance between the outer tube 13 and the inner tube 15 of the rigid insertion tube, which can ensure the safety of patients.

[0038] Specifically, the swing arm 4 is driven to the flexible curved snake bone 9 by a steel wire, and the two ends of the steel wire are respectively fixed to the turntable mechanism of the swing arm 4 and the head end snake bone segment of the flexible curved snake bone 9.

[0039] Specifically, the operating handle 5 is also provided with a working channel port 3, which is connected to a working channel tube. The working channel tube is embedded in the inner cavity of the rigid insertion tube 15 and the inner cavity of the flexible bending section snake bone 9 to form a continuous and through instrument operating channel.

[0040] This invention relates to a flexible-rigid endoscope that effectively combines the flexibility of a flexible endoscope with the support of a rigid endoscope. It ensures efficient force transmission and stable advancement while flexibly adapting to the complex paths of patient cavities, reducing the risk of tissue damage. Furthermore, by placing an insulating layer between the inner and outer tubes, combined with axial inward reduction at both ends and an epoxy resin sealing structure, the durability and safety of electrical isolation are significantly improved. This avoids the problem of traditional outer insulating layers being susceptible to impact, corrosion, or wear and thus failing, meeting the safety standards for long-term use of medical devices.

[0041] It should be noted that, in this document, relational terms such as "first" and "second" are used only to distinguish one entity or operation from another, and do not necessarily require or imply any such actual relationship or order between these entities or operations. Furthermore, the terms "comprising," "including," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus.

[0042] The embodiments described above are merely preferred embodiments of the present utility model and are not intended to limit the scope of the present utility model. Various modifications and improvements made to the technical solutions of the present utility model by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the present utility model should fall within the protection scope defined by the claims of the present utility model.

Claims

1. A rigid-flex endoscope, characterized in that: It includes a flexible bending part (1), a rigid insertion tube (2) and an operating handle (5). The rear end of the rigid insertion tube (2) is connected to the operating handle (5) through an insertion part connector (6), and the front end of the rigid insertion tube (2) is nested and connected to the flexible bending part (1). The rigid insertion tube (2) comprises, from the outside to the inside, an outer rigid insertion tube (13), an intermediate insulating layer (14), and an inner rigid insertion tube (15). The axial length of the intermediate insulating layer (14) is equal to the axial length of the inner rigid insertion tube (15). The axial length of the outer rigid insertion tube (13) is less than the length of the inner rigid insertion tube (15). Both ends of the outer rigid insertion tube (13) form an axially recessed structure relative to the inner rigid insertion tube (15). The axially recessed spacing is greater than the safe creepage distance between the outer rigid insertion tube (13) and the inner rigid insertion tube (15). The flexible bending part (1) includes a flexible bending part snake bone (9) and a flexible bending part rubber (10) covering and connected to the outer surface of the flexible bending part snake bone (9). The end of the flexible bending part snake bone (9) is nested and connected to the inner tube (15) of the rigid insertion tube through a connecting tube (8). The operating handle (5) is provided with a swing arm (4), which is connected to the flexible bending section snake bone (9) through a turntable mechanism and is used to control the upper and lower bending angles of the flexible bending section (1).

2. The flexible-rigid endoscope according to claim 1, characterized in that: The insertion connector (6) is interference-fitted onto the outer peripheral surface of the rear end of the rigid insertion tube outer tube (13). An annular sealing cavity is formed between the inner wall of the insertion connector (6) and the outer surface of the intermediate insulating layer (14). A first epoxy resin sealing layer (11) is injected and cured into the annular sealing cavity.

3. The rigid-flex endoscope according to claim 2, characterized in that: A sealing ring (7) is fitted around the outer periphery of the insertion connector (6).

4. The flexible and rigid endoscope according to claim 1, characterized in that: The connecting tube (8) is configured with a variable diameter structure. The end of the flexible bending section (9) is provided with a plug end that matches the inner diameter of the large diameter end of the connecting tube (8). The flexible bending section (9) is interference-fitted or welded into the inner cavity of the large diameter end of the connecting tube (8) through the plug end. The small diameter end of the connecting tube (8) is embedded and connected to the inside of the rigid insertion tube inner tube (15). The flexible bending section rubber (10) is covered on the outer peripheral wall of the connecting tube (8). After the connecting tube (8) and the rigid insertion tube inner tube (15) are assembled, the end of the flexible bending section rubber (10) abuts against the end of the rigid insertion tube inner tube (15).

5. The rigid-flex endoscope according to claim 4, characterized in that: The outer surface of the flexible bending rubber (10) and the outer surface of the intermediate insulating layer (14) are together covered with a second epoxy resin sealing layer (12).

6. The flexible and rigid endoscope according to claim 1, characterized in that: The swing arm (4) is connected to the flexible curved snake bone (9) by a steel wire, and the two ends of the steel wire are respectively fixedly connected to the turntable mechanism of the swing arm (4) and the head end snake bone segment of the flexible curved snake bone (9).

7. The flexible and rigid endoscope according to claim 1, characterized in that: The operating handle (5) is also provided with a working channel opening (3), which is connected to the working channel tube. The working channel tube is embedded in the inner cavity of the rigid insertion tube (15) and the inner cavity of the flexible bending part snake bone (9) to form a continuous and through instrument operating channel.

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