Traction spring and hose assembly of thin throat endoscope

Abstract

The utility model relates to a traction spring hose assembly of a thin throat endoscope, which comprises a front connecting ring and traction spring tubes, and is characterized in that two or four traction spring tubes are arranged on the front connecting ring, the front connecting ring comprises an inner ring and an annular table arranged on the periphery of the inner ring, and the annular table is arranged on the outer periphery of the inner ring. Two or four through traction spring tube positioning grooves are formed in the inner ring in the length direction of the inner ring, the heads of the two traction spring tubes or the heads of the four traction spring tubes on the front connecting ring are connected into the corresponding traction spring tube positioning grooves in an embedded mode respectively, and the inner wall of the annular table is attached to the outer walls of the traction spring tubes. According to the utility model, not only can high-precision positioning connection be realized, but also the internal space can be enlarged, so that minimally invasive surgical instruments with larger specifications can enter.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to a traction spring hose assembly, specifically to a traction spring hose assembly for a thin pharyngeal endoscope. Background Technology

[0002] Flexible medical laryngoscopes are widely used for the diagnosis of upper respiratory tract diseases, and for minimally invasive surgery or treatment of related diseases in the nasal cavity, nasopharynx, and pharynx. In existing technologies, laryngoscopes can be inserted through the nasal cavity or mouth. Due to the location of use, their overall size is quite small. For pediatric laryngoscopes, the overall size is even smaller, and the inner diameter is even smaller, making it difficult to insert standard-sized minimally invasive surgical instruments. The application scenarios for pediatric laryngoscopes will be further elaborated below.

[0003] 1. Due to the high prevalence of nasopharyngeal diseases such as rhinitis, pharyngitis, and nosebleeds in children, and the frequent occurrence of foreign objects lodged in the nasal cavity or throat, or fish bones or small bone spurs lodged in the throat, there is a market demand for the development of thin, flexible endoscopes. This invention is particularly suitable for use with thin laryngeal endoscopes and meets the diagnostic and treatment needs for pharyngeal diseases in children.

[0004] 2. Furthermore, the insertion tube of the thin flexible laryngoscope is one of the most critical components of this medical flexible endoscope. Also, because children's pharyngeal and laryngeal cavities are much smaller than those of adults, the design and production of thin laryngoscopes is more difficult. Therefore, it is necessary to design and develop an insertion tube for a thin flexible endoscope that will not damage the pharyngeal and laryngeal cavities of children.

[0005] Currently, the anterior connecting ring in laryngoscopy is a single-ring structure, with the traction spring tube welded into the inner hole of the anterior connecting ring. The disadvantages of this structure, where the traction spring tube is combined with the anterior connecting ring, are as follows: First, because the traction spring tube is directly welded to the inner wall of the anterior connecting ring's hole, the positioning accuracy of the traction spring tube after welding is not high, and there is an angular deviation defect. This is because the position of the traction spring tube will deviate after welding onto the anterior connecting ring, causing the traction steel rope of the curved snake-bone assembly connected to the anterior connecting ring to be out of axis. This results in the steel rope at the traction bend on the snake-bone assembly being out of axis from the traction spring tube. When the steel rope pulls the bend, the greater the deviation of the steel rope, the greater the friction. Excessive friction can cause the steel rope to break, rendering the endoscope's bending function unusable, and in severe cases, leading to medical accidents.

[0006] Secondly, the outer diameter of the traction spring tube is welded to the hole wall of the front connecting ring, which not only has a small contact welding area but also low welding strength, making it prone to falling off.

[0007] Third, since the outer diameter of the traction spring is directly welded to the inner wall of the front connector, and the traction spring tube is cylindrical in shape, it will occupy part of the space in the inner hole of the front connector. This will make it more crowded when assembling the endoscope insertion tube hole. If it is a large minimally invasive surgical instrument (forceps tube, biopsy forceps, etc.), it may even be impossible to enter. Summary of the Invention

[0008] The purpose of this invention is to provide a traction spring-tube assembly for a thin pharyngeal endoscope that not only achieves high-precision positioning and connection with high connection strength, but also increases internal space to allow the insertion of larger minimally invasive surgical instruments.

[0009] To achieve the above objectives, the technical solution of this utility model is: a traction spring tube assembly for a thin laryngeal endoscope, comprising a front connecting ring and a traction spring tube, the innovation of which lies in:

[0010] The front connecting ring is equipped with two or four traction spring tubes.

[0011] The front connecting ring includes an inner ring and an annular platform disposed on the outer periphery of the inner ring. The inner ring has two or four through-hole traction spring tube positioning grooves along its length.

[0012] The heads of the two or four traction spring tubes on the front connecting ring are respectively embedded in the corresponding traction spring tube positioning grooves, and the inner wall of the annular platform is in contact with the outer wall of the traction spring tube.

[0013] In the above technical solution, each traction spring tube is provided with a spring tube fixing joint at the tail end for positioning and engaging with the operating handle.

[0014] In the above technical solution, the outer periphery of the spring tube fixing joint is provided with a positioning step.

[0015] In the above technical solution, the inner ring of the front connecting ring is also provided with a pair of symmetrically arranged snake bone connecting holes or three equally arranged snake bone connecting holes along the circumference of the inner ring.

[0016] In the above technical solution, when the front connecting ring is provided with two through traction spring tube positioning slots, the axis of the two traction spring tube positioning slots is offset from the central axis of the inner ring by 4° to 6°; when the front connecting ring is provided with four through traction spring tube positioning slots, the axis of the pair of traction spring tube positioning slots arranged opposite to each other is offset from the central axis of the inner ring by 4° to 6°.

[0017] The positive effects of this invention are: after adopting the traction spring tubing assembly of the thin pharyngeal endoscope of this invention, because the front connecting ring of this invention is provided with two or four traction spring tubing,

[0018] The front connecting ring includes an inner ring and an annular platform disposed on the outer periphery of the inner ring. The inner ring has two or four through-hole traction spring tube positioning grooves along its length.

[0019] The heads of the two or four traction spring tubes on the front connecting ring are respectively embedded in the corresponding traction spring tube positioning grooves, and the inner wall of the annular platform is in contact with the outer wall of the traction spring tube.

[0020] The advantages of this design are as follows: First, it can further increase the aperture space of the front connector: The traction spring tube is welded to the bottom of the traction spring tube positioning groove on the inner ring, so that the outer diameter of the traction spring tube is close to the annular platform hole with the maximum outer diameter of the front connector. When the assembly is used in the insertion tube, it increases the internal space, which overcomes the problem that the traction spring tube is attached to the inner wall of the front connector in the existing technology and occupies the internal space. When the aperture space of the thin pharyngeal endoscope is increased, it is easier to assemble the internal contents of the insertion tube such as the forceps tube with a larger diameter, and provides sufficient space for the subsequent assembly of other internal contents.

[0021] Secondly, it improves welding strength: because the outer diameter of the traction spring tube is tightly fitted inside the entire traction spring tube positioning groove, it not only increases the contact area during welding, but also results in a high connection strength after welding, making it less prone to detachment.

[0022] Third, welding is easier and more efficient during assembly: because the outer diameter openings at both ends of the traction spring tube positioning groove can be welded to the contact parts of the traction spring tube, welding is very convenient during production and assembly.

[0023] Fourth, it boasts high positioning accuracy. The traction spring tube is directly positioned and fitted with the traction spring tube positioning groove before welding, overcoming the drawback of blind welding the traction spring tube to the approximate position of the front connecting ring in existing technologies. This ensures that the relative position of the traction spring tube and the front connecting ring will not deviate. It should be further noted that since the traction spring tube contains a traction steel wire rope connected to the bend of the insertion tube, it ensures that the orientation of the upright image captured by the camera at the front end of the insertion part is consistent. When the traction steel wire rope is pulled, there will be no excessive friction due to misalignment. This ensures that the bends of the insertion tube in different directions are all precisely bends on a 180° plane, further improving the comfort of subsequent bend operations and making the bend operation more effective for doctors. Attached Figure Description

[0024] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the first specific embodiment of this utility model;

[0025] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 AA sectional view;

[0026] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the front connector;

[0027] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 Side view;

[0028] Figure 5 yes Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the assembly state;

[0029] Figure 6 yes Figure 5 A side view diagram;

[0030] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the second specific embodiment of this utility model;

[0031] Figure 8 yes Figure 7 Schematic diagram of the front connector;

[0032] Figure 9 yes Figure 8 A side view diagram;

[0033] Figure 10 yes Figure 7 A schematic diagram of the assembly state;

[0034] Figure 11 yes Figure 10 A side view diagram. Detailed Implementation

[0035] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and the given embodiments, but it is not limited thereto.

[0036] Example 1

[0037] like Figure 1 , 2 As shown in Figures 3, 4, 5, and 6, a traction spring tube assembly for a thin laryngeal endoscope is used in thin laryngeal endoscopes capable of bending in both vertical and horizontal directions. Specifically, it includes a front connecting ring 1 and a traction spring tube 2.

[0038] The front connecting ring 1 is equipped with two traction spring tubes 2.

[0039] The front connecting ring 1 includes an inner ring 11 and an annular platform 12 disposed on the outer periphery of the inner ring 11. The inner ring 11 has two through-hole traction spring tube positioning grooves 13 along its length.

[0040] The heads of the two traction spring tubes on the front connecting ring 1 are respectively embedded in the corresponding traction spring tube positioning groove 13, and the inner wall of the annular platform 12 is in contact with the outer wall of the traction spring tube 2.

[0041] In conventional technology, the traction spring tube and the connecting plate of the operating handle are welded together as one piece. When subsequent maintenance is required, it is not easy to disassemble, which is not only time-consuming and labor-intensive, but also reduces maintenance efficiency.

[0042] To solve the above problems, such as Figure 1 As shown, in order to ensure that the traction spring tube is positioned and installed in relation to the connecting plate of the operating handle, each traction spring tube 2 is provided with a spring tube fixing joint 3 at its tail end for positioning and engaging with the operating handle.

[0043] Furthermore, such as Figure 1 As shown, to ensure the reliability of the positioning connection between the spring fixing joint and the connecting plate of the operating handle after assembly, a positioning step 31 is provided on the outer periphery of the spring tube fixing joint 3. Figure 5 , 6 As shown, during specific assembly, the positioning step 31 of the spring tube fixing joint 3 is engaged in the positioning groove of the connecting plate 4 (90° bent) of the operating handle. When the traction steel wire rope inside the traction spring tube is operated, the spring tube fixing joint will not fall off from the positioning groove of the 90° connecting plate 4. However, when maintaining it, it can be removed from the positioning groove of the connecting plate, which greatly facilitates the rapid development of maintenance work.

[0044] Furthermore, such as Figure 4 As shown, to facilitate the positioning connection with the curved snake-like structure of the insertion tube, and also to provide positioning screw holes for correctly oriented and positioned the camera during the use and diagnosis of the medical electronic endoscope (i.e., maintaining an upright image and improving the quality of operation, examination, and diagnosis), the inner ring 11 of the front connecting ring 1 is also provided with a pair of symmetrically arranged snake-like connecting holes 14, or three equally spaced snake-like connecting holes 14 along the circumference of the inner ring 11. Two-point positioning connection can meet the design requirements, but three-point positioning provides better results.

[0045] Furthermore, such as Figure 5 As shown, when the front connecting ring 1 is provided with two through traction spring tube positioning grooves 13, the axes of the two traction spring tube positioning grooves 13 are offset from the central axis of the inner ring 11 by 4° to 6°. This divides the internal space of the inner ring 31 into a space of about 190° on one side and a space of about 170° on the other side.

[0046] The advantages of this design are as follows: Advantage 1: It increases the space of the aperture, which is conducive to the assembly of thin endoscopes, such as the largest forceps tube of a pediatric laryngoscope. Larger minimally invasive surgical instruments, such as large biopsy forceps, can be inserted through the large forceps tube for minimally invasive surgery. Advantage 2: The traction spring tube is soldered to the slot of the outer diameter of the front connecting ring, so that the long slot and the outer diameter of the traction spring tube assembled in the slot are filled with solder, resulting in higher welding strength and allowing for direct inspection of the welding effect (the existing technology has a closed outer diameter in this positioning slot structure, and the soldering effect is almost invisible when soldering is performed in this hole, etc.).

[0047] Advantage 3: Standard-sized forceps canal tubes for laryngoscopes can now be installed even inside thin insertion tubes. The angle offset of the traction spring tube positioning groove in this invention corresponds to the angle offset of the traction wire rope of the curved section of the endoscope, i.e., a synchronous offset angle. This means that the angular position of the traction spring tube and the angular position of the traction wire rope of the curved section are on the same concentric axis, but this does not affect the bend angle of the curved section of the endoscope. Because the connecting shafts of the two sets (two rows) of curved sections are still designed at a symmetrical 180-degree position, the directional position after traction of the two bend angles remains unchanged, still in a 180-degree plane position, and is not affected when operating the bend angle.

[0048] Example 2

[0049] like Figure 7 , 8 As shown in Figures 9, 10, and 11, the difference between Embodiment 2 and Embodiment 1 is that the traction spring tube assembly of the thin pharyngeal endoscope in Embodiment 2 is used in a thin pharyngeal endoscope that can achieve bends in four directions (up, down, left, and right). The front connecting ring 1 is provided with four traction spring tubes 2. The inner ring 11 of the front connecting ring 1 is provided with four through traction spring tube positioning grooves 13 along its length. The heads of the four traction spring tubes are respectively embedded in the corresponding traction spring tube positioning grooves 13, and the inner wall of the annular platform 12 is in contact with the outer wall of the traction spring tube 2.

[0050] When the front connecting ring 1 is provided with four through traction spring tube positioning slots 13, the axis of a pair of traction spring tube positioning slots arranged opposite each other is offset from the central axis of the inner ring by 4° to 6°. This is also to divide the internal space of the inner ring 31 into a space of about 190° on one side and a space of about 170° on the other side.

[0051] It should be further explained that, after increasing the space of the aperture, the structure of this utility model can assemble and produce a fine endoscope with four-way serpentine bends, overcoming the limitations of the existing technology which only produces the curved part of the serpentine endoscope with two-way bends. In addition, this utility model can also ensure the stability of welding and fixing.

[0052] In summary, the advantages of this utility model are:

[0053] (1) Structural improvements to the front connector:

[0054] First, it can further increase the aperture space of the front connecting ring: the traction spring tube is welded to the bottom of the traction spring tube positioning groove on the inner ring, so that the outer diameter of the traction spring tube is close to the annular platform hole with the largest outer diameter of the front connecting ring. The space for its insertion tube is greatly increased, which overcomes the problem that the traction spring tube is attached to the inner wall of the front connecting ring in the existing technology, which will occupy the internal space. When the aperture space of the thin pharyngeal endoscope is increased, it is easier to assemble the internal contents such as the forceps tube with a larger diameter, and provide sufficient space for the subsequent assembly of other internal contents.

[0055] Secondly, it improves welding strength: because the outer diameter of the traction spring tube is tightly fitted inside the entire traction spring tube positioning groove, it not only increases the contact area during welding, but also results in a high connection strength after welding, making it less prone to detachment.

[0056] Third, welding is more convenient during assembly, improving welding efficiency: because the outer diameter of both ends of the traction spring tube positioning groove can be welded to the contact parts of the traction spring tube, welding is very convenient during production and assembly. Fourth, the positioning accuracy is high. The traction spring tube is directly positioned and fitted with the traction spring tube positioning groove before welding, overcoming the drawback of blind welding the traction spring tube to the approximate position of the front connecting ring in the existing technology, ensuring that the relative position of the traction spring tube and the front connecting ring will not deviate. It should be added that since the traction spring tube is equipped with a traction steel wire rope connected to the bend of the insertion tube, this ensures that the orientation of the upright image captured by the camera at the front end of the insertion part is consistent. When the traction steel wire rope is pulled, there will be no excessive friction due to misalignment, so that the bends of the insertion tube in different directions are all precisely bends on the 180° plane, further improving the comfort of subsequent bends and making the bends more effective for doctors.

[0057] (2) Innovation of adding a spring tube fixing joint at the tail end of the traction spring tube:

[0058] The positioning step of the spring tube fixing joint of this utility model is snapped into the positioning groove of the connecting plate (90° bent) of the operating handle. When the traction steel wire rope inside the traction spring tube is operated, the spring tube fixing joint will not fall off from the positioning groove of the 90° connecting plate. However, during maintenance, it can be simply removed from the positioning groove of the connecting plate, greatly facilitating the rapid progress of maintenance work. This overcomes the shortcomings of the existing technology where the traction spring tube and the connecting plate of the operating handle are welded together, avoiding the defect of difficulty in disassembly when maintenance is required.

[0059] Based on the above-described preferred embodiments of this utility model, and through the foregoing description, those skilled in the art can make various changes and modifications without departing from the technical concept of this utility model. The technical scope of this utility model is not limited to the contents of the specification, but must be determined according to the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A traction spring tube assembly for a thin laryngeal endoscope, comprising a front connector (1) and a traction spring tube (2), characterized in that: The front connecting ring (1) is provided with two or four traction spring tubes (2). The front connecting ring (1) includes an inner ring (11) and an annular platform (12) disposed on the outer periphery of the inner ring (11). The inner ring (11) is provided with two or four through-hole traction spring tube positioning grooves (13) along its length. The heads of the two or four traction spring tubes on the front connecting ring (1) are respectively embedded in the corresponding traction spring tube positioning groove (13), and the inner wall of the annular platform (12) is in contact with the outer wall of the traction spring tube (2).

2. The traction spring-tube assembly for a thin laryngoscope according to claim 1, characterized in that: Each traction spring tube (2) has a spring tube fixing joint (3) at its tail end that is positioned and engaged with the operating handle.

3. The traction spring-tube assembly for a thin laryngoscope according to claim 2, characterized in that: The outer periphery of the spring tube fixing joint (3) is provided with a positioning step (31).

4. The traction spring-tube assembly for a thin laryngoscope according to claim 1, characterized in that: The inner ring (11) of the front connecting ring (1) is also provided with a pair of symmetrically arranged snake bone connecting holes (14), or three equally arranged snake bone connecting holes (14) are provided along the circumferential direction of the inner ring (11).

5. The traction spring-tube assembly for a thin laryngoscope according to claim 1, characterized in that: When the front connecting ring (1) is provided with two through traction spring tube positioning grooves (13), the axis of the two traction spring tube positioning grooves (13) is offset from the central axis of the inner ring (11) by 4° to 6°; when the front connecting ring (1) is provided with four through traction spring tube positioning grooves (13), the axis of the pair of traction spring tube positioning grooves (13) arranged opposite to each other is offset from the central axis of the inner ring (11) by 4° to 6°.

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