Endoscope

Abstract

To provide an endoscope capable of securing watertightness without increasing rigidity length, in a connection part between a rigid part at the tip and a curved part.SOLUTION: An endoscope includes: a screw 126 that is exposed from an outer surface of an annular connection part 120 of a rigid part 52 at the tip; a coating member 142 for coating an outer surface of the screw 126; cylindrical angle rubber 138 that constitutes an outer skin of the curved part 54, that is, the angle rubber 138 that is arranged in the state of covering at least a part of the coating member 142; and a bobbin part 146 that is provided at the tip side of the angle rubber 138.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 10

Description

Technical Field

[0005] ,

[0004] , , , , , , ,

[0006]

[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 connection portion to which the 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 connection 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". Hereinafter, in this specification, the length from the proximal end of the distal rigid portion to the distal end of the distal rigid portion in the longitudinal axis direction of the insertion portion will be defined as the "rigid length" and described. <​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ [Patent Documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2014-057731 [Overview of the project] [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. Such internal components may be connected to the annular connection section of the rigid tip section by fasteners such as screws. In this case, the fastener is covered with angle rubber, and the tip of the angle rubber is fixed to the annular connection section by a spool. Here, if the fastener and the spool are located in positions that overlap each other in the longitudinal axis direction of the insertion section, a gap is likely to occur between the fastener and the angle rubber, and watertight (including airtight) leakage may easily occur from that gap.

[0009] To prevent such problems, one might consider shifting the position of the fixing device relative to the position of the spool towards the proximal end of the insertion section. However, this would increase the rigid length by the amount of the shift. Therefore, in the field of endoscopy, it is necessary to ensure watertightness at the connection between the rigid tip and the bending section without increasing the rigid length.

[0010] This invention has been made in view of these circumstances, and aims to provide an endoscope that can ensure watertightness at the connection between the rigid tip and the curved tip without increasing the rigid length. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] 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 a fixing device exposed from the outer surface of a structural member constituting at least one of the rigid tip portion or the curved portion, a covering member covering the outer surface of the fixing device, a cylindrical angle rubber constituting the outer skin of the curved portion, the angle rubber positioned to cover at least a part of the covering member, and a spool portion provided on the tip side of the angle rubber.

[0012] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the covering member is preferably a ring-shaped member that covers the outer surface of the constituent member.

[0013] According to one embodiment of the present invention, it is preferable that a sealing material be provided on the side of the covering member on which the fastener is placed.

[0014] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the base end of the rigid tip portion has a large-diameter portion provided along the circumferential direction around the longitudinal axis of the endoscope insertion portion, a small-diameter portion that protrudes from the large-diameter portion toward the base end and is formed to be smaller in diameter than the large-diameter portion, and a stepped surface formed between the large-diameter portion and the small-diameter portion, wherein a covering member is attached to the small-diameter portion and the tip surface of the covering member abuts against the stepped surface.

[0015] According to one embodiment of the present invention, it is preferable that adhesive be filled into the outer surface of the thread winding portion and into the gap between the stepped surface and the tip surface of the angle rubber.

[0016] According to one embodiment of the present invention, it is preferable that the base end of the spool portion is positioned closer to the base end of the endoscope insertion portion than the base end of the covering member.

[0017] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the covering member is preferably made of a resin material.

[0018] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the resin material is preferably polyetherimide.

[0019] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the resin material is preferably polysulfone.

[0020] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the covering member is preferably made of a metal material.

[0021] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the metal material is preferably stainless steel.

[0022] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the structural member includes an exterior component member that constitutes the exterior of the tip rigid portion, and a curved component member that constitutes the connecting portion with the exterior component member. An internal component member is disposed inside the exterior component member. As fixtures, it includes a first fixture that fixes the exterior component member and the internal component member to each other, and a second fixture that fixes the exterior component member and the curved component member to each other. Among the first fixture and the second fixture, it is preferable that at least the outer surface of the first fixture is covered with the covering member.

[0023] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the first fixture and the second fixture are preferably screw members respectively.

Advantages of the Invention

[0024] According to the present invention, it becomes possible to ensure watertightness without increasing the rigid length at the connecting portion between the tip rigid portion and the curved portion.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0025] [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 of the first embodiment 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 the balloon attached to the tip rigid portion. [Figure 5] It is a perspective view of the tip rigid portion including the tip bending piece. [Figure 6]Figure 5 is a side view of the hardened tip. [Figure 7] This is a magnified view of the connection point between the hard tip and the curved tip. [Figure 8] This is a cross-sectional view of the annular connecting section where the frame is secured by three screws. [Figure 9] This is a cross-sectional view of the annular connecting section in which the curved tip piece is secured by three screws. [Figure 10] This is a close-up cross-sectional view of the main part, showing the connection between the hard tip and the curved tip. [Figure 11] This is a perspective view showing the hardened tip portion of the second embodiment. [Figure 12] This is a close-up cross-sectional view of the main part, showing the connection between the hard tip and the curved tip, as shown in Figure 11. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0026] Hereinafter, embodiments of the endoscope according to the present invention will be described with reference to the attached drawings.

[0027] 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.

[0028] 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.

[0029] 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.

[0030] The control unit 28 is equipped with an air supply button 32 for opening and closing the air 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.

[0031] 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.

[0032] 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 curved section 54 is also an example of the curved 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 bendable. The flexible section 56 is slender, long, and flexible.

[0033] The curved section 54 is remotely curved by rotating a pair of angle knobs 36. 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 make up 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, which is located at the tip end, is connected to an annular connecting section 122 that is 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.

[0034] 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.

[0035] 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.

[0036] 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.

[0037] 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.

[0038] 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.

[0039] 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 a structural component and an example of an outer casing component of the present invention.

[0040] As shown in Figure 3, a cylindrical frame 68 is positioned at 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, while the ultrasonic transducer 50 is positioned 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 positioned inside the exterior component 66 and is an example of an internal component of the present invention.

[0041] 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 a 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 B around the longitudinal axis A.

[0042] 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.

[0043] 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.

[0044] 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.

[0045] 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.

[0046] 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.

[0047] 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).

[0048] 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.

[0049] 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.

[0050] 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.

[0051] 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.

[0052] 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 B around the longitudinal axis A.

[0053] 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.

[0054] 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.

[0055] Incidentally, in the field of endoscopy, it is required to ensure watertightness at the connection point between the rigid tip and the flexible tip without increasing the rigid length of the rigid tip. Therefore, in the ultrasonic endoscope 12 of this example, the following configuration is adopted at the connection point 140 (see Figure 6) between the rigid tip 52 and the flexible tip 54 without increasing the rigid length L (see Figure 6) of the rigid tip 52.

[0056] The configuration of the hard tip portion 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 portion 52 including the curved tip piece 59, and Figure 6 is a side view of the hard tip portion 52 shown in Figure 5, with a portion of the curved tip piece 59 cut away from that shown in Figure 5. Figure 7 is an enlarged view of the connecting portion 140 between the hard tip portion 52 and the curved portion 54.

[0057] 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 of this exterior component 66 along the longitudinal axis A. 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) toward 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 an outer diameter larger than the outer diameter of the annular connecting portion 120. The annular connecting portion 122 also projects from the annular connecting portion 120 toward the base end side of the insertion portion 26 (see Figure 1), and the outer diameter of the annular connecting portion 122 is formed to be smaller than the outer diameter of the annular connecting portion 120.

[0058] Here, the rigidity length L described above will be explained with reference to Figure 6. The rigidity length L refers to the length from the base end 52A of the tip rigid portion 52 (the base end 122A of the annular connecting portion 122) to the tip end 52B of the tip rigid portion 52 (the tip end 64A of the tip-side cap 64) in the longitudinal axis A direction of the insertion portion 26.

[0059] As shown in Figures 5 to 7, a screw 126 is provided in the annular connecting portion 120. This screw 126 is exposed from the outer surface of the annular connecting portion 120. The 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 the fastener and 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 fastener and the first fastener.

[0060] 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.

[0061] In this example, an exterior component 66 with three holes 128 is shown as an example, but it is not limited to this, and for example, an exterior component 66 with two holes 128 may be used. Even in this configuration, the frame 68 can be stably fixed to the exterior component 66. However, since the frame 68 is configured in a cylindrical shape, the configuration with three holes 128 is preferable to the configuration with two holes 128 because it allows for more stable fixing of the frame 68. Furthermore, an exterior component 66 with one hole 128 may be used. With this configuration, other internal components other than the frame 68 (for example, other internal components such as a light guide tube (not shown)) can be stably fixed to the exterior component 66.

[0062] As shown in Figures 5 and 7, a screw 130 is provided in the annular connecting portion 122. This screw 130 is positioned so as not to overlap with the screw 126 in the longitudinal axis A direction, and is positioned at a different position in the circumferential direction B relative to the screw 126. The screw 130 is inserted through a hole 132 located in the tip curved 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 tip curved piece 59 are fixed to each other by the screw 130. The tip curved piece 59 is an example of a structural component of the present invention and an example of a curved portion component. The screw 130 is an example of a fastener and a second fastener of the present invention and an example of a screw member. In this example, a screw 130 is exemplified as the second fastener, but it is not limited to a screw 130, and other fasteners such as rivets may be applied as the second fastener.

[0063] In this example, as shown in Figure 3, the thickness of the curved tip piece 59 is set to approximately half the difference in outer 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.

[0064] Figure 9 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 9, three holes 134 are provided along the circumferential direction B of the annular connecting portion 122. The three holes 134 shown in Figure 9 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.

[0065] In this example, an exterior component 66 with three holes 134 is shown as an example, but it is not limited to this, and for example, an exterior component 66 with two holes 134 may be used. 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 is preferable to the configuration with two holes 134 because it allows for more stable fixing of the curved tip piece 59.

[0066] Figure 10 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the main part, showing the connecting portion 140 between the hard tip portion 52 and the curved portion 54. As shown in Figure 10, the connecting portion 140 in this example has a covering member 142 that covers the outer surface of the screw 126. The covering member 142 is an example of the covering member of the present invention.

[0067] In this example, the covering member 142 is configured as a ring-shaped member that covers the outer surface of the annular connecting portion 120. This allows the outer surfaces of the three screws 126 shown in Figure 8 to be covered simultaneously by a single covering member 142. In this example, a ring-shaped member is used as an example for the covering member 142, but it is not limited to this. For example, a configuration in which each screw 126 is covered by three arc-shaped plate covering members may also be used. However, in this case, three covering members would be required, so it is preferable to use a ring-shaped member that can cover the outer surfaces of three screws 126 simultaneously with a single covering member 142, as in this example.

[0068] The covering member 142 has the function of sealing the gap between the screw 126 and the angle rubber 138 to ensure watertightness, as will be described later. The covering member 142 is preferably made of a resin material. In this case, heat-resistant polyetherimide and hydrophobic polysulfone are preferably used as the resin material. Alternatively, the covering member 142 may be made of a metal material. In this case, rust-resistant stainless steel is preferably used as the metal material.

[0069] As shown in Figure 10, the covering member 142 is covered by the angle rubber 138. The angle rubber 138 is an example of the angle rubber of the present invention. In the connecting portion 140 of this example, the angle rubber 138 covers the part 142B of the covering member 142, excluding the tip portion 142A. That is, at least a part of the covering member 142, the other part 142B, is covered by the angle rubber 138. It is also possible that the entire covering member 142 is covered by the angle rubber 138. However, in order to seal the gap between the screw 126 and the angle rubber 138, it is sufficient if at least a part of the covering member 142 is covered by the angle rubber 138.

[0070] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 10, the tip end of the angle rubber 138 is provided with a spool 146 around which the thread 144 is wound. The spool 146 is an example of the spool 146 of the present invention. The spool 146 is provided on the outer surface of the angle rubber 138 and is positioned to overlap with the screw 126 in the longitudinal axis A direction. In this embodiment, a preferred configuration is shown in which the spool 146 is positioned to overlap with the screw 126, but the configuration is not limited to this, and the spool 146 may be positioned to overlap with at least one of the screw 126 and the covering member 142 in the longitudinal axis A direction.

[0071] As described above, the connecting portion 140 of this example is configured such that the outer surface of the screw 126 is covered by the covering member 142, and at least a part of the covering member 142 is covered by the angle rubber 138. This allows the gap between the tip of the angle rubber 138 and the screw 126 to be sealed by the covering member 142. As a result, the screw 126 can be positioned in the annular connecting portion 120 without shifting the position of the screw 126 toward the base end of the insertion portion 26 (see Figure 1) relative to the position of the thread winding portion 146. Consequently, it is possible to ensure watertightness in the connecting portion 140 between the tip hard portion 52 and the curved portion 54 without increasing the rigid length L (see Figure 6).

[0072] The following describes some preferred configurations of the connecting portion 140 in this example.

[0073] As shown in Figure 10, a sealing material 148 is provided on the side of the covering member 142 where the screws 126 are located, that is, on the inner circumferential surface of the covering member 142. The sealing member 148 is an example of a sealing member of the present invention. As an example, a silicone-based material is used as the sealing member 148.

[0074] As described above, by adopting a configuration in which a sealing material 148 is provided on the inner circumferential surface of the covering member 142, the connecting portion 140 in this example can prevent moisture from entering the gap between the inner circumferential surface of the covering member 142 and the outer surface of the annular connecting portion 120. As a result, the watertightness of the connecting portion 140 is further improved.

[0075] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 10, the base end of the hard tip portion 52 has a flange portion 124 provided along the circumferential direction B, an annular connecting portion 120 that protrudes from the flange portion 124 toward the base end and is formed to be smaller in diameter than the flange portion 124, and a stepped surface 150 formed between the flange portion 124 and the annular connecting portion 120. In this configuration, the covering member 142 is attached to the annular connecting portion 120, and the tip surface 142C of the covering member 142 is in contact with the stepped surface 150. The flange portion 124 is an example of a large-diameter portion of the present invention, the annular connecting portion 120 is an example of a small-diameter portion of the present invention, and the stepped surface 150 is an example of a stepped surface of the present invention.

[0076] In this way, by adopting a configuration in which the tip surface 142C of the covering member 142 abuts against the stepped surface 150, the connecting portion 140 in this example can prevent moisture from entering the gap between the tip surface 142C of the covering member 142 and the stepped surface 150. As a result, the watertightness of the connecting portion 140 is further improved.

[0077] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 10, the outer surface of the thread winding portion 146 is filled with adhesive 152, and the gap 154 ​​between the stepped surface 150 and the tip surface 138A of the angle rubber 138 is also filled with adhesive 152. Adhesive 152 is an example of the adhesive of the present invention. As an example, an epoxy-based adhesive 152 is used.

[0078] In this way, by adopting a configuration in which adhesive 152 is filled into the gap 154, the connecting portion 140 in this example can prevent moisture from entering through the gap 154 ​​between the stepped surface 150 and the tip surface 138A of the angle rubber 138. As a result, the watertightness of the connecting portion 140 is further improved.

[0079] Alternatively, a configuration can be adopted in which the tip surface 138A of the angle rubber 138 abuts against the stepped surface 150 to eliminate the gap 154. However, the angle rubber 138 is initially covered on the curved piece 58 (see Figure 3) in a long tube form, then cut to an appropriate length so that the tip of the angle rubber 138 covers the annular connecting portion 120. In this case, it is difficult to cut the angle rubber 138 to the exact length so that the tip surface 138A of the angle rubber 138 abuts against the stepped surface 150, and thus the gap 154 ​​described above occurs. Therefore, in this example, the connecting portion 140 improves watertightness by sealing the gap 154 ​​with adhesive 152.

[0080] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 10, the base end 146A of the winding portion 146 is positioned closer to the base end of the insertion portion 26 (see Figure 1) than the base end 142D of the covering member 142.

[0081] Thus, by adopting a configuration in which the base end 146A of the spool portion 146 is positioned closer to the base end of the insertion portion 26 (see Figure 1) than the base end 142D of the covering member 142, the connecting portion 140 in this example allows the angle rubber 138 to be tightly attached to the entire area of ​​the covering member 142B, excluding the tip portion 142A (the portion exposed from the gap 154), by the spool portion 146. As a result, the adhesion between the angle rubber 138 and the covering member 142 is improved, further enhancing the watertightness of the connecting portion 140.

[0082] As shown in Figure 10, the connecting portion 140 in this example was described using a configuration in which screw 126 of screws 126 and screw 130 is covered by the covering member 142, but it is not limited to this, and a configuration in which both screws 126 and screw 130 are covered by the covering member may also be adopted. However, since the location where watertight leakage occurs is the tip of the angle rubber 138 where the thread winding portion 146 is located, it is sufficient to cover the outer surface of screw 126 with the covering member 142 in order to prevent watertight leakage.

[0083] Figure 11 is a perspective view of the hardened tip portion 160 according to the second embodiment. Figure 12 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the main part showing the connecting portion 162 between the hardened tip portion 160 and the curved portion 54 shown in Figure 11. When describing the hardened tip portion 160 of the second embodiment, the same or similar reference numerals are used for members that are the same as or similar to the hardened tip portion 52 of the first embodiment shown in Figures 5 to 7, and their descriptions are omitted.

[0084] The second embodiment shown in Figure 11 and the first embodiment shown in Figure 6 share the common feature of having screws 126 and 130 positioned so as not to overlap in the circumferential direction B, but they differ in the following respect. Specifically, the connecting portion 140 in the first embodiment shown in Figure 6 has a configuration in which screws 126 and 130 are positioned so as not to overlap in the longitudinal axis A direction, whereas the connecting portion 162 in the second embodiment shown in Figure 11 has a configuration in which screws 126 and 130 are positioned so as to overlap in the longitudinal axis A direction.

[0085] As shown in Figure 11, the connecting portion 162 has a hole-forming portion 136 that protrudes from the annular connecting portion 120 toward the annular connecting portion 122, which allows the screws 126 and 130 to be positioned so that they overlap each other in the longitudinal axis A direction. The hole-forming portion 136 has a semicircular portion 136A in which a part of the screw hole 128 is formed.

[0086] As shown in Figure 12, the connecting portion 162 has a covering member 142 that covers the outer surface of the screw 126. This covering member 142 is configured as a ring-shaped member and covers the outer surface of the screw 126 and a portion of the outer surface of the screw 130. In addition, at least a portion of the covering member 142 is covered by an angle rubber 138.

[0087] In the connecting portion 162 configured as described above, the outer surface of the screw 126 is covered by the covering member 142, and at least a part of the covering member 142 is covered by the angle rubber 138. As a result, the gap between the tip of the angle rubber 138 and the screw 126 can be sealed by the covering member 142. This allows the screw 126 to be positioned in the annular connecting portion 120 without shifting the position of the screw 126 toward the base end of the insertion portion 26 (see Figure 1) relative to the position of the thread winding portion 146. Consequently, it is possible to ensure watertightness in the connecting portion 162 between the tip hard portion 160 and the curved portion 54 without increasing the rigid length L (see Figure 6).

[0088] 〔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.

[0089] 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]

[0090] 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 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 138A Tip surface 140 Connection section 142 Covering member 142A Tip 142B Other parts 142C Tip surface 142D proximal end 144 thread 146 Thread winding section 146A proximal end 148 Sealant 150 Step surface 152 Adhesive 154 gap 160 Hardened tip 162 Connecting part A Long axis B Circumferential direction L 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, a fixing tool exposed from an outer surface of a structural member constituting at least one of the distal end hard portion and the curved portion; a covering member that covers the outer surface of the fixing tool; a cylindrical angle rubber that forms an outer skin of the bending portion and is arranged to cover at least a part of the covering member; a thread winding portion provided on the tip side of the angle rubber; An endoscope comprising:

2. The covering member is a ring-shaped member that covers the outer surface of the component member. The endoscope according to claim 1 .

3. a sealing material is provided on a surface of the covering member on which the fixing tool is disposed; The endoscope according to claim 1 or 2.

4. the proximal end of the distal end rigid portion has a large diameter portion provided along a circumferential direction around the longitudinal axis direction of the endoscope insertion portion, a small diameter portion protruding from the large diameter portion toward the proximal end and formed with a diameter smaller than that of the large diameter portion, and a step surface formed between the large diameter portion and the small diameter portion, The covering member is attached to the small diameter portion, and a tip end surface of the covering member is brought into contact with the step surface. The endoscope according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. an adhesive is filled into an outer surface of the winding portion and a gap between the stepped surface and the tip end surface of the angle rubber; The endoscope according to claim 4.

6. the spooling portion is disposed such that a proximal end of the spooling portion is closer to the proximal end of the endoscope insertion portion than a proximal end of the covering member; The endoscope according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. The covering member is made of a resin material. The endoscope according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. The resin material is polyetherimide. The endoscope according to claim 7.

9. The resin material is polysulfone. The endoscope according to claim 7.

10. The covering member is made of a metal material. The endoscope according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

11. The metal material is stainless steel. The endoscope according to claim 10.

12. The structural member is an exterior component that configures the exterior of the tip hard portion; a curved portion component that forms a connecting portion with the exterior component; and an internal component is disposed inside the exterior component; The fixing devices include a first fixing device that fixes the exterior component and the internal component to each other, and a second fixing device that fixes the exterior component and the curved portion component to each other, Of the first fixture and the second fixture, at least the outer surface of the first fixture is covered with the covering member. The endoscope according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

13. The first fastener and the second fastener are each a screw member. The endoscope according to claim 12.

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