Endoscope

Abstract

To provide an endoscope which can reduce a rigid part length without making a length of a distal end part longer.SOLUTION: A machine screw 126 for fixing a frame 68 which is an inner part constituting member and a machine screw 130 for fixing a bending part constituting member are arranged in different positions in a circumferential direction B, and the machine screw 126 and the machine screw 130 are arranged to be relatively close to each other in a direction of a longitudinal axis A, compared to a case in which the machine screw 126 and the machine screw 130 are arranged in the same position in the circumferential direction B, and the machine screw 126 and the machine screw 130 are arranged in positions where a distance between them in the direction of the longitudinal axis A is shortest.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an endoscope, and particularly to an endoscope having a distal rigid portion at the distal end of an insertion portion.

Background Art

[0002] The insertion portion of an endoscope inserted into the body includes a distal rigid portion, a bending portion, and a flexible portion from the distal end side toward the proximal end side.

[0003] The above-mentioned distal rigid portion includes an annular connecting portion to which a distal bending member of the bending portion is connected on the proximal end side of the distal rigid portion. In an endoscope having such a configuration, in the longitudinal axis direction of the insertion portion, the length from the proximal end of the above-mentioned annular connecting portion (the proximal end of the distal rigid portion) to the distal end of the distal rigid portion may be referred to as the "rigid length", and the length of the portion of the distal rigid portion excluding the above-mentioned annular connecting portion may be referred to as the "length of the distal portion". Hereinafter, in this specification, in the longitudinal axis direction of the insertion portion, the length from the proximal end of the distal rigid portion to the distal end of the distal rigid portion is defined as the "rigid length", and the length of the portion of the distal rigid portion excluding the above-mentioned annular connecting portion is defined as the "length of the distal portion" for explanation.

[0004] By the way, in the case of an endoscope with a long rigid length as described above, when the bending portion is bent, for example, when the distal rigid portion is raised at an angle of approximately 90 degrees with respect to the flexible portion, the height of the distal end of the distal rigid portion (also referred to as the "rising height") becomes high. Then, for example, it becomes difficult to observe every corner of the stomach, and there is a problem that it becomes impossible to observe the gastric angular region in particular.

[0005] Thus, in the field of endoscopes, shortening the rigid length is desired to solve the above problems, and an endoscope with a shortened rigid length is disclosed in Patent Document 1.

[0006] The endoscope disclosed in Patent Document 1 comprises a tip component that constitutes the tip of the insertion portion, and a tip curved section that is attached to the tip component so as to surround the base end of the tip component. Furthermore, the tip curved section comprises a convex portion provided on the inner circumferential surface of the section and projecting inward from the inner circumferential surface of the section, and a recess provided on the tip component that accommodates the convex portion and has a contact surface against which the tip surface of the accommodated convex portion abuts. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2014-057731 [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0008] Incidentally, in order to achieve multi-functionality, endoscopes have multiple internal components such as forceps tubes, microscope tubes, air and water supply tubes, and light guide tubes inserted and arranged inside the rigid tip section. Furthermore, in ultrasonic endoscopes, an ultrasonic transducer is also arranged in addition to the above-mentioned internal components. In endoscopes with such internal components, the length of the tip section tends to increase, but this also increases the rigid length, leading to the problems described above. For this reason, in the field of endoscopy, there is a need to shorten the rigid length without increasing the length of the tip section.

[0009] This invention has been made in view of these circumstances, and aims to provide an endoscope that can shorten the rigid length without increasing the length of the tip. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] To achieve the above objective, the present invention provides an endoscope comprising: a rigid tip portion constituting the tip side of the endoscope insertion section; and a bendable curved portion connected to the base end side of the rigid tip portion, wherein the endoscope comprises: an exterior component constituting the exterior of the rigid tip portion; an internal component disposed inside the exterior component; a curved portion component constituting the connecting portion with the exterior component; a first fixing device for fixing the exterior component and the internal component to each other; and a second fixing device for fixing the exterior component and the curved portion component to each other, wherein the first and second fixing devices are positioned at different circumferential positions around the longitudinal axis of the endoscope insertion section, and the first and second fixing devices are positioned relatively closer in the longitudinal axis direction than when the first and second fixing devices are positioned at the same circumferential position and at the position where the distance between the first and second fixing devices in the longitudinal axis direction is shortest.

[0011] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the exterior component has a first hole through which a first fastener is inserted and a second hole through which a second fastener is inserted, wherein the first hole and the second hole are positioned at different circumferential positions, and it is preferable that the first hole and the second hole are positioned relatively close to each other in the longitudinal direction than when they are positioned at the same circumferential position and at the position where the longitudinal distance between the first hole and the second hole is shortest.

[0012] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the exterior component has a hole-forming portion that forms either the first hole or the second hole, and it is preferable that at least a part of the hole-forming portion is positioned to overlap with the other hole of the first and second holes in the longitudinal axis direction.

[0013] According to one embodiment of the present invention, it is preferable that the first hole and the second hole are positioned so that at least a portion of them overlap in the longitudinal direction.

[0014] According to one embodiment of the present invention, it is preferable that the distance between the centers in the longitudinal direction of the first hole and the second hole is shorter than the sum of the radii of the first hole and the radii of the second hole.

[0015] According to one embodiment of the present invention, it is preferable that two first hole portions and two second hole portions are provided in the exterior component member, respectively.

[0016] According to one embodiment of the present invention, it is preferable that three first hole portions and three second hole portions are provided in the exterior component member, respectively.

[0017] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the first hole portion and the second hole portion are preferably screw holes.

[0018] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the first fixture and the second fixture are preferably screw members.

[0019] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the internal component member is preferably an ultrasonic oscillator fixing frame in which a plurality of ultrasonic oscillators are arranged along the circumferential direction on the outer peripheral surface.

Advantages of the Invention

[0020] According to the present invention, it is possible to shorten the rigid length without increasing the length of the tip portion.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0021] [Figure 1] It is a schematic configuration diagram showing an example of an ultrasonic inspection system using an ultrasonic endoscope. [Figure 2] It is an enlarged perspective view of the tip rigid portion shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 3] It is a cross-sectional view of the tip rigid portion shown in FIG. 2. [Figure 4] It is a cross-sectional view of a balloon attached to the tip rigid portion. [Figure 5] It is a perspective view of the tip rigid portion including the tip bending member. [Figure 6] It is a side view of the tip rigid portion shown in FIG. 5. [Figure 7] It is an enlarged view of the connecting portion between the tip rigid portion and the tip bending member. [Figure 8] It is a cross-sectional view of an annular connecting portion in which a frame is fixed by three screws. [Figure 9] This is a cross-sectional view of the annular connecting section where the frame is secured by two screws. [Figure 10] This is a cross-sectional view of the annular connecting section in which the curved tip piece is secured by three screws. [Figure 11] This is a cross-sectional view of the annular connecting section in which the curved tip piece is secured by two screws. [Figure 12] This is a schematic diagram showing the hardened tip portion of the first embodiment and the comparative example. [Figure 13] This is a schematic diagram showing the hardened tip portion of the second embodiment. [Figure 14] This is a schematic diagram showing the hardened tip portion of the third embodiment. [Figure 15] This is a schematic diagram showing the fourth embodiment and the hardened tip. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0022] Hereinafter, embodiments of the endoscope according to the present invention will be described with reference to the attached drawings.

[0023] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an ultrasound examination system 10 using an ultrasound endoscope 12. Hereinafter, the ultrasound endoscope 12 will be used as an example of the endoscope in this invention.

[0024] As shown in Figure 1, the ultrasound examination system 10 comprises an ultrasound endoscope 12, an ultrasound processor device 14, an endoscope processor device 16, a light source device 18, and a monitor 20. The ultrasound examination system 10 also includes a water supply tank 22 for storing cleaning water, etc., and a suction pump 24 for aspirating material from the body cavity.

[0025] The ultrasound endoscope 12 includes an insertion section 26 that is inserted into the body cavity of a subject, an operating section 28 connected to the proximal end of the insertion section 26 for operation by the operator, and a universal cord 30 with one end connected to the operating section 28. The insertion section 26 is an example of the endoscope insertion section of the present invention.

[0026] The control unit 28 is equipped with an air supply / water supply button 32 for opening and closing the air supply / water supply pipe (not shown) from the water supply tank 22, and a suction button 34 for opening and closing the suction line (not shown) from the suction pump 24. The control unit 28 is also provided with a pair of angle knobs 36 and a treatment instrument insertion port 37.

[0027] The other end of the universal cord 30 is provided with a connector 38 for connection to the ultrasound processor device 14, a connector 40 for connection to the endoscope processor device 16, and a connector 42 for connection to the light source device 18. The ultrasound endoscope 12 is detachably connected to the ultrasound processor device 14, the endoscope processor device 16, and the light source device 18 via these connectors 38, 40, and 42. Connector 42 also has an air and water supply tube 44 for connection to the water supply tank 22 and a suction tube 46 for connection to the suction pump 24.

[0028] The insertion section 26 has, in order from the tip side, a rigid tip section 52 having an endoscope observation section 48 and an ultrasonic transducer 50, a curved section 54 connected to the base end of the rigid tip section 52, and a flexible section 56 connecting the base end of the curved section 54 to the tip side of the operating section 28. The rigid tip section 52 constitutes the tip side of the insertion section 26 and is an example of the rigid tip section of the present invention. The rigid tip section 52, the curved section 54, and the flexible section 56 are arranged along the longitudinal axis A of the elongated insertion section 26. The curved section 54 is made up of multiple curved sections connected together and is configured to be bend freely. The flexible section 56 is slender, long, and flexible.

[0029] The curved section 54 is remotely curved by rotating a pair of angle knobs 36 provided on the operating section 28. This allows the hard tip section 52 to be directed in a desired direction. Figure 3, described later, shows a plurality of curved pieces 58 that constitute the curved section 54, and a plurality (two in Figure 3) of curved operation wires 60. Of the plurality of curved pieces 58, the tip curved piece 59, located at the tip end, is connected to an annular connecting section 122 located at the base end of the hard tip section 52. The tip end of the curved operation wire 60 is connected to this tip curved piece 59, and the base end of the curved operation wire 60 is connected to a pair of angle knobs 36 (see Figure 1). The annular connecting section 122 will be described later. The connecting structure for connecting the tip curved piece 59 and the annular connecting section 122 will also be described later.

[0030] Returning to Figure 1, the ultrasound processor 14 generates and supplies ultrasonic signals to the multiple ultrasonic transducers 62 (see Figure 2) that constitute the ultrasonic transducer 50 to generate ultrasound. The ultrasound is emitted from the multiple ultrasonic transducers 62 toward the area to be observed. The ultrasound processor 14 receives and acquires the echo signals (reflected waves) reflected from the area to be observed using the ultrasonic transducers 62, and performs various signal processing on the acquired echo signals to generate an ultrasonic image. The generated ultrasonic image is displayed on the monitor 20.

[0031] Furthermore, the area to be observed is illuminated by illumination light from the light source device 18 in the endoscope observation unit 48. The endoscope processor device 16 receives and acquires the image signal obtained from the area to be observed, and performs various signal processing and image processing on the acquired image signal to generate an endoscopic image. The generated endoscopic image is displayed on the monitor 20.

[0032] The monitor 20 receives the respective video signals generated by the ultrasound processor unit 14 and the endoscope processor unit 16 and displays the ultrasound image and the endoscope image. The display of these ultrasound and endoscope images can be switched between displaying only one of the images on the monitor 20, or both images can be displayed simultaneously.

[0033] Next, the structure of the hardened tip portion 52 will be described with reference to Figures 2 and 3. Figure 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the hardened tip portion 52 shown in Figure 1. Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the hardened tip portion 52 shown in Figure 2.

[0034] As shown in Figure 2, the rigid tip portion 52 is provided with an endoscope observation section 48 for acquiring endoscope images at the tip end and an ultrasonic transducer 50 for acquiring ultrasonic images at the proximal end.

[0035] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the hard tip portion 52 has an annular tip-side cap 64 positioned on the tip side relative to the ultrasonic transducer 50, and a cylindrical outer casing component 66 positioned on the base side relative to the ultrasonic transducer 50. The tip-side cap 64 is attached to the tip body 65 to form the tip of the hard tip portion 52. These tip-side cap 64, tip body 65, and outer casing component 66 are made of an insulating material such as hard resin. The outer casing component 66 constitutes the exterior of the hard tip portion 52 and is an example of an outer casing component of the present invention.

[0036] As shown in Figure 3, a cylindrical frame 68 is connected to the base end of the tip cap 64. Inside the frame 68 are the observation system unit 70, shield cable 72, and forceps tube 74, which will be described later, and the ultrasonic transducer 50 is placed outside the frame 68. The frame 68 is made of a metal with high material strength, for example, to support the ultrasonic transducer 50. By making the frame 68 out of metal, the frame 68 can function as an electromagnetic wave shielding member. The frame 68 is placed inside the exterior component 66 and is an example of an internal component of the present invention.

[0037] As shown in Figure 2, the ultrasonic transducer 50 is constructed by arranging a plurality of ultrasonic transducers 62 that transmit and receive ultrasonic waves in the circumferential direction of the outer wall of the frame 68 (see Figure 3). In other words, the ultrasonic transducer 50 in this example is a radial type ultrasonic transducer in which a plurality of ultrasonic transducers 62 are arranged along the circumferential direction around the longitudinal axis A.

[0038] Each of the multiple ultrasonic transducers 62 is connected to a multiple cable (not shown). The multiple cables, for example, housed in an ultrasonic shield cable, are inserted from the curved section 54 shown in Figure 1 through the flexible section 56 to the operating section 28. The multiple cables are then inserted from the operating section 28 into a universal cord 30 and connected to an ultrasonic connector 38. This connector 38 is connected to an ultrasonic processor device 14. The ultrasonic signal generated by the ultrasonic processor device 14 is supplied to the multiple ultrasonic transducers 62 via the multiple cables.

[0039] As shown in Figure 2, a balloon 100 (see Figure 4) surrounding the ultrasonic transducer 50 is detachably attached to the rigid tip portion 52. An ultrasonic transmission medium (e.g., water) is supplied into this balloon 100. Here, ultrasonic and echo signals are attenuated in the air. Therefore, water is supplied into the balloon 100 to inflate it, and the inflated balloon 100 is brought into contact with the area to be observed to remove air from between the ultrasonic transducer 50 and the area to be observed. This suppresses the attenuation of ultrasonic and echo signals, so that a good ultrasonic image can be obtained. The balloon 100 will be described later.

[0040] As shown in Figure 2, the endoscope observation section 48 has a treatment instrument outlet 78, an observation window 80, an illumination window 82, and a nozzle 84, etc., which are opened on the tip surface 76 of the tip body 65. In other words, the ultrasonic endoscope 12 in this example is a straight-viewing type ultrasonic endoscope having an observation window 80 on the tip surface 76 of the rigid tip section 52. The illumination windows 82 are provided in pairs on either side of the observation window 80.

[0041] As shown in Figure 3, a forceps tube 74 is connected to the instrument outlet 78. This forceps tube 74 has a forceps pipe 96 whose tip is connected to the instrument outlet 78, and a forceps tube 98 whose tip is connected to the proximal end of the forceps pipe 96. The forceps tube 98 extends from the inside of the curved section 54 to the proximal end of the flexible section 56 (see Figure 1), and the proximal end of the forceps tube 98 is connected to the instrument insertion port 37 of the operating section 28 (see Figure 1). Instruments such as forceps are inserted into the forceps tube 98 from the instrument insertion port 37 and led out from the instrument outlet 78 via the forceps pipe 96.

[0042] As shown in Figure 3, an observation system unit 70 is positioned behind (towards the base) the observation window 80. The observation system unit 70 includes an objective lens 86, a prism 88, an image sensor 90, a substrate 92, and a signal cable 94, etc. The objective lens 86 is fixed to the lens barrel 95 and mounted on the tip body 65.

[0043] Reflected light from the area to be observed, entering through the observation window 80, is captured by the objective lens 86. The captured reflected light is then bent at a right angle by the prism 88 and formed as an image on the imaging surface of the image sensor 90. The image sensor 90 converts the reflected light from the area to be observed, which is imaged on the imaging surface, into photoelectric signals and outputs an image signal. Examples of image sensors 90 include CCD (Charge Coupled Device) and CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor).

[0044] The image sensor 90 is mounted on a substrate 92. The substrate 92 has a circuit pattern (not shown) that is electrically connected to the image sensor 90. The circuit pattern has multiple electrodes, and multiple signal cables 94 are connected to each of these electrodes. The multiple signal cables 94, in the form of a shielded cable 72 containing the multiple signal cables 94, are inserted from the curved section 54 shown in Figure 1 through the flexible section 56 to the operating section 28. The multiple signal cables 94 are then inserted from the operating section 28 into a universal cord 30 and connected to an endoscope connector 40. This connector 40 is connected to an endoscope processor device 16.

[0045] The exit ends of a light guide (not shown) are connected to the two illumination windows 82 shown in Figure 2. The light guide extends from the insertion section 26 shown in Figure 1 to the operating section 28, is inserted into the universal cord 30 from the operating section 28, and the incident end of the light guide is connected to the connector 42 for the light source. This connector 42 is connected to the light source device 18. The illumination light emitted from the light source device 18 propagates through the light guide and is irradiated from the illumination windows 82 in Figure 2.

[0046] The nozzle 84 shown in Figure 2 is connected to the tip of an air supply / water supply pipe (not shown). This air supply / water supply pipe extends from the insertion section 26 shown in Figure 1 to the operation section 28, is inserted into the universal cord 30 from the operation section 28, and the base end of the air supply / water supply pipe is connected to the connector 42 for the light source. As a result, the base end of the air supply / water supply pipe is connected to the water supply tank 22 via the connector 42 and the air supply / water supply tube 44. Water in the water supply tank 22 is supplied from the air supply / water supply tube 44 to the air supply / water supply pipe via the connector 42 and ejected from the nozzle 84 toward the observation window 80 and the illumination window 82. The air supply / water supply pipe is also configured to be supplied with air from an air pump (not shown), and this air is ejected from the nozzle 84 toward the observation window 80 and the illumination window 82 via the air supply / water supply pipe.

[0047] Next, the balloon 100 shown in Figure 4 will be described. Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the balloon 100 attached to the rigid tip portion 52.

[0048] As shown in Figure 4, a mounting groove 102 for attaching the base end of the balloon 100 is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the exterior component 66, and a mounting groove 104 for attaching the tip end of the balloon 100 is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the tip end cap 64. These mounting grooves 102 and 104 are formed along the circumferential direction around the longitudinal axis A.

[0049] Furthermore, a supply port 106 for supplying water into the balloon 100 and discharging water from the balloon 100 is formed on the outer surface of the exterior component 66 between the mounting groove 102 and the mounting groove 104. The supply port 106 is also formed between the mounting groove 102 and the ultrasonic transducer 50.

[0050] The balloon 100 is made of an elastic material such as rubber. The balloon 100 has a ring-shaped band portion 110 at one end and a ring-shaped band portion 112 at the other end. The band portion 110 of the balloon 100 is elastically attached to the mounting groove 102 of the rigid tip portion 52, and the band portion 112 is elastically attached to the mounting groove 104.

[0051] Incidentally, in the field of endoscopy, there is a need to shorten the rigid length of the tip without increasing the length of the tip itself, in order to improve operability. Therefore, the ultrasound endoscope 12 in this example employs the following configuration in order to shorten the rigid length without increasing the length of the tip.

[0052] The configuration of the hard tip section 52 according to the first embodiment will be described below with reference to Figures 3, 5, 6, and 7. Figure 5 is a perspective view of the hard tip section 52 including the curved tip section 59, and Figure 6 is a side view of the hard tip section 52 shown in Figure 5, with a portion of the curved tip section 59 cut away from that shown in Figure 5. Figure 7 is an enlarged view of the connection portion between the hard tip section 52 and the curved tip section 59.

[0053] As shown in Figures 5 to 7, the hard tip portion 52 has an exterior component 66 that constitutes the hard tip portion 52, and two annular connecting portions 120 and 122 are connected to the base end side of this exterior component 66 along the longitudinal axis A. That is, the annular connecting portions 120 and 122 constitute a part of the exterior component 66. The annular connecting portion 120 is provided projecting from a flange portion 124 connected to the mounting groove 102 of the balloon 100 (see Figure 4) towards the base end side of the insertion portion 26 (see Figure 1). The flange portion 124 is formed along the circumferential direction B around the longitudinal axis A and has a larger diameter than the annular connecting portion 120. The annular connecting portion 122 projects from the annular connecting portion 120 towards the base end side of the insertion portion 26 (see Figure 1) and is formed with a smaller diameter than the annular connecting portion 120.

[0054] Here, the length of the tip and the rigid length described above will be explained with reference to Figure 6. First, the rigid length refers to the length L1 from the base end 52A of the rigid tip 52 (the base end 122A of the annular connecting portion 122) to the tip 52B of the rigid tip 52 (the tip 64A of the tip-side cap 64) in the longitudinal axis A direction of the insertion portion 26. Also, the length of the tip described above refers to the length L2 from the base end 120A of the annular connecting portion 120 to the tip 52B of the rigid tip 52 (the length of the part of the rigid tip 52 excluding the annular connecting portion 122) in the longitudinal axis A direction of the insertion portion 26.

[0055] As shown in Figures 5 to 7, a screw 126 is provided in the annular connecting portion 120. This screw 126 is inserted through a hole 128 located in the annular connecting portion 120 and fastened to a frame 68 (see Figure 3) located inside the exterior component 66. Therefore, the exterior component 66 and the frame 68 (see Figure 3) are fixed to each other by the screw 126. The screw 126 is an example of a first fastener of the present invention and is an example of a screw member. In this example, a screw 126 is exemplified as the first fastener, but it is not limited to a screw 126, and other fasteners such as rivets may be applied as the first fastener. Also, the hole 128 is an example of a first hole of the present invention and is an example of a screw hole.

[0056] Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of the annular connecting portion 120 (a cross-sectional view in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A). As shown in Figure 8, three holes 128 are provided along the circumferential direction B of the annular connecting portion 120. The three holes 128 shown in Figure 8 are arranged at approximately equal intervals in the circumferential direction B. With the tip rigid portion 52 of this example, which uses the three holes 128 to fix the exterior component 66 and the frame 68 (see Figure 3) to each other, the cylindrical frame 68 can be stably fixed to the exterior component 66 inside the exterior component 66.

[0057] Furthermore, although this example illustrates an exterior component 66 with three holes 128, it is not limited to this configuration. For example, an exterior component 66 with two holes 128 may be used, as shown in the cross-sectional view of the annular connecting portion 120 in Figure 9. Even in this configuration, the frame 68 can be stably fixed to the exterior component 66. However, since the frame 68 is cylindrical, the configuration with three holes 128 allows for more stable fixing of the frame 68 than the configuration with two holes 128. Moreover, an exterior component 66 with one hole 128 may be used. With this configuration, other internal components (for example, other internal components such as a light guide tube (not shown)) can be stably fixed to the exterior component 66.

[0058] As shown in Figures 5 and 7, a screw 130 is provided in the annular connecting portion 122. This screw 130 is inserted through a hole 132 located in the curved tip piece 59 and fastened to a hole 134 (see Figure 6) located in the annular connecting portion 122. Therefore, the exterior component 66 and the curved tip piece 59 are fixed to each other by the screw 130. The screw 130 is an example of a second fastener of the present invention and is an example of a screw member. In this example, the screw 130 is exemplified as the second fastener, but it is not limited to the screw 130, and other fasteners such as rivets may be applied as the second fastener. The hole 134 is an example of a second hole of the present invention and is an example of a screw hole. The curved tip piece 59 is an example of a curved portion component of the present invention.

[0059] In this example, as shown in Figure 3, the thickness of the curved tip piece 59 is set to approximately half the difference in diameter between the annular connecting portion 120 and the annular connecting portion 122. As a result, when the curved tip piece 59 is attached to the annular connecting portion 122 and connected, the outer surface of the curved tip piece 59 and the outer surface of the annular connecting portion 120 become substantially flush. Then, as shown in Figure 3, the cylindrical angle rubber 138 that constitutes the outer covering of the curved portion 54 is placed over the outer surface of the curved tip piece 59 and the outer surface of the annular connecting portion 120, which are now substantially flush.

[0060] Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view of the annular connecting portion 122 (a cross-sectional view in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A). As shown in Figure 10, three holes 134 are provided along the circumferential direction B of the annular connecting portion 122. The three holes 134 shown in Figure 10 are arranged at approximately equal intervals in the circumferential direction B. With the hard tip portion 52 of this example, which uses the three holes 134 to fix the exterior component 66 and the curved tip piece 59, the curved tip piece 59 can be stably fixed to the exterior component 66.

[0061] Furthermore, although this example illustrates an exterior component 66 with three holes 134, it is not limited to this configuration. For example, an exterior component 66 with two holes 134 may be used, as shown in the cross-sectional view of the annular connecting portion 122 in Figure 11. Even in this configuration, the curved tip piece 59 can be stably fixed to the exterior component 66. However, since the curved tip piece 59 is cylindrical, the configuration with three holes 134 allows for more stable fixing of the curved tip piece 59 than the configuration with two holes 134.

[0062] Next, the annular connecting portion 120 will be described. As shown in Figures 5 to 7, the annular connecting portion 120 has a hole-forming portion 136 for forming a hole 128. This hole-forming portion 136 protrudes from the base end 120A of the annular connecting portion 120 to the annular connecting portion 122. The hole-forming portion 136 also has a semicircular portion 136A, which is provided overlapping a part of the annular connecting portion 122. Furthermore, at least a part of the semicircular portion 136A is positioned to overlap with the hole 134 (Figure 6) in the longitudinal axis A direction.

[0063] To explain in more detail, as shown in Figure 6, when the hole-forming portion 136 and the hole portion 134 are viewed from a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A, at least a portion of the hole-forming portion 136 is positioned on the base end side of the insertion portion 26 (see Figure 1) with respect to the imaginary tangent C. This tangent C is located on the tip side of the tangents tangent to the hole portion 134 and is a tangent in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A. To explain in more detail, for example, about 30% to 50% of the area of ​​the semicircular portion 136A of the hole-forming portion 136 is positioned on the base end side of the insertion portion 26 (see Figure 1) with respect to the tangent C. By adopting a configuration having such a hole-forming portion 136, it becomes possible to position the hole portion 128 close to the base end 120A of the annular connecting portion 120. Furthermore, as will be described later, it becomes possible to position the hole portion 128 and the hole portion 134 so that at least a portion of them overlap each other in the direction of the longitudinal axis A (see Figures 14 and 15).

[0064] Next, the specific placement locations of screws 126 and 130 will be explained with reference to Figure 12.

[0065] Figure 12 shows schematic diagrams of the hardened tip portions 52 and 200, illustrating an example of the placement of screws 126 and 130. XIIA in Figure 12 schematically shows the configuration of the hardened tip portion 52 of the first embodiment, and XIIB in Figure 12 schematically shows the configuration of the hardened tip portion 200 of a comparative example.

[0066] In the comparative example shown, the hardened tip portion 200 has screws 126 and 130 positioned at the same location in the circumferential direction B, and positioned at the location where the distance between screws 126 and 130 in the longitudinal axis A direction is shortest.

[0067] In contrast to the hardened tip portion 200 with such a configuration, the hardened tip portion 52 of the first embodiment has screws 126 and 130 positioned at circumferential positions B offset from each other, and screws 126 and 130 are positioned relatively closer in the longitudinal axis A direction than in the case of the hardened tip portion 200 described above.

[0068] To explain in more detail, according to the hardened tip portion 52 of the first embodiment, the screw 126 is positioned closer to the screw 130 by a distance D compared to the configuration of the hardened tip portion 200. As a result, the length L2 of the tip portion of the hardened tip portion 52 can be shortened by a distance D compared to the length L3 of the tip portion of the hardened tip portion 200, and the rigid length L1 can be shortened by a distance D compared to the rigid length L4 of the hardened tip portion 200.

[0069] Therefore, in the first embodiment, the hardened tip portion 52 is configured such that screws 126 and 130 are positioned at different locations in the circumferential direction B, and furthermore, the screws 126 and 130 are positioned relatively closer in the longitudinal axis A direction than in the configuration of the hardened tip portion 200 (where screws 126 and 130 are positioned at the same location in the circumferential direction B and at the position where the distance between screws 126 and 130 in the longitudinal axis A direction is shortest). As a result, the hardened length can be shortened without increasing the length of the tip portion.

[0070] Furthermore, to describe the above configuration in another way, the hardened tip portion 52 of the first embodiment can be described as having a configuration in which the holes 128 and 134 are positioned at different positions in the circumferential direction B, and the holes 128 and 134 are positioned at the same position in the circumferential direction B and at the position where the distance between the holes 128 and 134 in the longitudinal axis A direction is shortest (in the case of the configuration of the hardened tip portion 200), while the holes 128 and 134 are positioned relatively closer in the longitudinal axis A direction. In this way, the same effect as above can be obtained by specifying the positions of the holes 128 and 134, similar to specifying the positions of the screws 126 and 130.

[0071] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 6, the hard tip portion 52 of the first embodiment has a hole-forming portion 136 for forming a hole portion 128 in the exterior component member 66, and at least a part of the hole-forming portion 136 is positioned to overlap with the hole portion 134 in the longitudinal axis A direction, so that the hole portion 128 can be brought closer to the hole portion 134 in the longitudinal axis A direction.

[0072] In the first embodiment, the hardened tip portion 52 has a configuration in which the screw 126 (hole portion 128) is brought closer to the screw 130 (hole portion 134), as shown in XIIA of Figure 12. However, instead of this configuration, a configuration in which the screw 130 (hole portion 134) is brought closer to the screw 126 (hole portion 128) may be adopted.

[0073] Figure 13 is a schematic diagram of the hardened tip portion 300 of the second embodiment, in which a configuration is adopted in which the screw 130 (hole portion 134) is brought closer to the screw 126 (hole portion 128). With the hardened tip portion 300 of the second embodiment, the screw 130 can be brought closer to the screw 126 by a distance D compared to the configuration of the hardened tip portion 200 (see Figure 12XIIB). As a result, the hardened length L5 can be shortened by a distance D compared to the hardened length L4 of the hardened tip portion 200 while maintaining the length L3 of the tip portion of the hardened tip portion 300 at the same length L3 as the tip portion of the hardened tip portion 200. As a result, it is possible to shorten the hardened length without increasing the length of the tip portion.

[0074] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 13, the hard tip portion 300 of the second embodiment has a hole-forming portion 302 formed in the exterior component 66 for forming the hole portion 134, and at least a part of the hole-forming portion 302 is positioned to overlap with the hole portion 128 in the longitudinal axis A direction. This makes it easier to bring the hole portion 134 closer to the hole portion 128 in the longitudinal axis A direction. Note that the hole-forming portion 302 in this example is formed from the annular connecting portion 122 to the annular connecting portion 120, and as an example, it is composed of a recess formed in the annular connecting portion 120.

[0075] Figure 14 is a schematic diagram of the hardened tip portion 400 of the third embodiment. The hardened tip portion 400 of the third embodiment employs a configuration in which the holes 128 and 134 are positioned so that at least a portion of them overlap each other in the longitudinal axis A direction. In other words, the distance d between the centers of the holes 128 and 134 in the longitudinal axis A direction is shorter than the sum of the radius r1 of the hole 128 and the radius r2 of the hole 134.

[0076] To explain the specific configuration, in the third embodiment, the hardened tip portion 400 is positioned with the hole portion 128 closer to the hole portion 134 by a distance E (E>D) than the configuration of the hardened tip portion 200 shown in Figure 12 XIIB. As a result, the length L6 of the tip portion of the hardened tip portion 400 can be shortened by a distance E compared to the length L3 of the tip portion of the hardened tip portion 200, and the rigid length L7 can be shortened by a distance E compared to the rigid length L4 of the hardened tip portion 200.

[0077] Figure 15 is a schematic diagram of the hardened tip portion 500 of the fourth embodiment, in which the holes 128 and 134 are positioned so that at least a portion of them overlap in the longitudinal axis A direction, and in this embodiment, the hole 134 is positioned closer to the hole 128. With the hardened tip portion 500 of the fourth embodiment, the hole 134 can be brought closer to the hole 128 by a distance E compared to the configuration of the hardened tip portion 200 (see Figure 12XIIB). As a result, the hardened length L8 can be shortened by a distance E compared to the hardened length L4 of the hardened tip portion 200, while maintaining the length L3 of the tip portion L3 of the hardened tip portion 500 at the same length as the tip portion L3 of the hardened tip portion 200.

[0078] 〔others〕 In the above embodiments, an ultrasound endoscope 12 was used as an example of an endoscope to which the present invention is applied, but it is not limited to ultrasound endoscopes. For example, the present invention can also be applied to general endoscopes such as colonoscopes and small bowel endoscopes that do not have an ultrasound transducer.

[0079] Although an endoscope according to an embodiment has been described above, the present invention may be improved or modified in some way without departing from the spirit of the invention. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0080] 10 Ultrasound Examination Systems 12 Ultrasound Endoscope 14. Ultrasonic processor device 16 Endoscope processor device 18 Light source device 20 monitors 22 Water supply tank 24 Suction pump 26 Insertion part 28 Control section 30 Universal Codes 32 Air / Water Supply Button 34 Suction button 36 Angle Knob 37. Insertion port for medical instruments 38 connectors 40 connectors 42 connectors 44 Air and water supply tubes 46 Suction tube 48 Endoscopy Observation Department 50 Ultrasonic Transducers 52. Hardened tip 52A proximal end 52B Tip 54 Curved section 56 Soft part 58 Curved Piece 59. Curved tip piece 60 Curved Operating Wires 62 Ultrasonic transducer 64. Tip end cap 64A Tip 65 Tip body 66 Exterior components 68 frames 70 Observation System Units 72 Shielded Cable 74 Forceps tube 76 Tip surface 78 Treatment tool outlet 80 Observation window 82 Lighting window 84 nozzles 86 Objective lens 88 Prisms 90 Image sensor 92 circuit boards 94 signal cables 95 Telescope Tube 96 Forceps Pipe 98 Forceps tubes 100 balloons 102 Mounting groove 104 Mounting groove 106 Supply port 108 Balloon conduit 110 Band Section 112 Band Club 120 Annular connecting section 120A proximal end 122 Annular connecting section 122A proximal end 124 Flange section 126 screws 128 Hole 130 screws 132 Hole 134 Hole 136 Hole forming part 136A Semicircular section 138 Angle Rubber 200 Hard tip 300 Hard tip 302 Hole forming part 400 Hard tip 500 Hard tip A Long axis B Circumferential direction C tangent D Distance E Distance L1 hardness length L2 Tip length L3 Tip length L4 hardness length L5 hardness length L6 Tip length L7 hardness length L8 hardness length

Claims

1. An endoscope comprising: a distal end rigid portion constituting a distal end side of an endoscope insertion portion; and a bendable bending portion connected to a proximal end side of the distal end rigid portion, an exterior component that configures the exterior of the tip hard portion; an internal component disposed inside the exterior component; a curved portion component that forms a connecting portion with the exterior component; a first fastener for fastening the exterior component and the interior component to each other; a second fastener for fastening the exterior component and the bending portion component to each other; Equipped with the first fixing device and the second fixing device are disposed at mutually different circumferential positions around the longitudinal axis direction of the endoscope insertion portion, the first fixing tool and the second fixing tool are disposed relatively closer in the longitudinal axis direction than when the first fixing tool and the second fixing tool are disposed at the same position in the circumferential direction and at a position where the distance between the first fixing tool and the second fixing tool in the longitudinal axis direction is shortest, Endoscope.

2. the exterior component member has a first hole portion through which the first fastener is inserted and a second hole portion through which the second fastener is inserted, the first hole portion and the second hole portion are arranged at positions different from each other in the circumferential direction, the first hole portion and the second hole portion are arranged relatively closer in the longitudinal axis direction than when the first hole portion and the second hole portion are arranged at the same position in the circumferential direction and at a position where the distance between the first hole portion and the second hole portion in the longitudinal axis direction is shortest, The endoscope according to claim 1 .

3. The exterior component has a hole forming portion that forms one of the first hole portion and the second hole portion, and at least a portion of the hole forming portion is arranged at a position that overlaps the other of the first hole portion and the second hole portion in the longitudinal axis direction. The endoscope according to claim 2 .

4. The first hole portion and the second hole portion are arranged at positions where they at least partially overlap in the longitudinal axis direction. The endoscope according to claim 2 or 3.

5. a center-to-center distance between the first hole portion and the second hole portion in the longitudinal axis direction is shorter than a sum of a radius of the first hole portion and a radius of the second hole portion; The endoscope according to claim 2 or 3.

6. The exterior component member is provided with two first holes and two second holes. The endoscope according to any one of claims 2 to 5.

7. The exterior component member is provided with three first holes and three second holes. The endoscope according to any one of claims 2 to 5.

8. The first hole portion and the second hole portion are screw holes. The endoscope according to any one of claims 2 to 7.

9. The first fastener and the second fastener are screw members. The endoscope according to claim 8.

10. The internal component is an ultrasonic transducer fixing frame having a plurality of ultrasonic transducers arranged on an outer circumferential surface along the circumferential direction. The endoscope according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

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