Endoscope

Abstract

To provide an endoscope that allows the cleaning performance of a distal end portion body of the endoscope insertion part thereof to be improved.SOLUTION: The endoscope includes: a distal end portion body 20 provided on a distal end side of an endoscope insertion part 12; an elevator 26 provided on the distal end portion body 20; a distal end cover 100 attachable to and detachable from the distal end portion body 20; an operation wire 66 for operating the elevator 26; and a wire insertion path 71 into which the operation wire 66 is inserted; wherein when the distal end cover 100 is attached to the distal end portion body 20, the distal end cover 100 seals a space part including at least an outlet 70 of the wire insertion path 71.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 11

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an endoscope, and more particularly to an endoscope having a stand at the distal end body of an insertion section of the endoscope. [Background technology]

[0002] In an endoscope, various treatment tools are inserted from a treatment tool introduction port provided in the operation section and are led out from a treatment tool lead-out port opened at the tip of the insertion section for use in treatment. For example, a duodenoscope uses treatment tools such as a guide wire or a shaped tube. In order to treat a desired position inside a subject, it is necessary to change the lead-out direction of such treatment tools at the tip of the insertion section, and for this reason, a treatment tool standing mechanism (standing stand) is provided at the tip.

[0003] A known treatment tool erection mechanism is a mechanism (open type) in which a wire is attached to a stand and extended to the operating section of the endoscope, and the wire is pushed and pulled using an operating lever provided on the operating section to swing the stand around a rotation axis and change its position between an erect position and a collapsed position.

[0004] There is also known a mechanism (closed type) in which the rotation axis of the stand-up platform is connected to a lever housed through a partition, a wire is attached to the lever, and the wire is pushed and pulled using the operating lever of the operating unit to swing the stand-up platform around the rotation axis, thereby changing its position between an upright position and a lying position.

[0005] A distal end portion equipped with such a treatment tool erecting mechanism has a complex shape and structure, and therefore there is a demand for improved ease of cleaning with a cleaning fluid.

[0006] Patent document 1 discloses an endoscope in which a tip cover is provided on the tip body of the endoscope insertion portion so as to be freely rotatable between a locked position and an unlocked position, and when the tip cover is rotated to the locked position, the tip cover covers the exit of the wire insertion passage. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] China Utility Model No. 207012171 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] However, simply covering the exit of the wire passage with a tip cover, as in the endoscope of Patent Document 1, may result in the exit of the wire passage being contaminated by liquid seeping in through the gap between the tip body and the tip cover.

[0009] If the outlet of the wire passage becomes contaminated, the wire that is in sliding contact with the edge of the outlet will also become contaminated. The wire is made of multiple strands twisted together, and if liquid seeps into the spaces between the strands, it becomes extremely difficult to clean the wire itself.

[0010] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide an endoscope that allows for improved cleanability of the tip body of the endoscope insertion section. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] The endoscope of the first aspect comprises a tip body provided at the tip side of the endoscope insertion portion, a stand provided on the tip body, a tip cover detachable from the tip body, an operating wire for operating the stand, and a wire insertion passage through which the operating wire is inserted, and when the tip cover is attached to the tip body, the tip cover seals at least a space including an exit of the wire insertion passage.

[0012] The endoscope according to the second aspect is the endoscope of the first aspect, wherein the tip cover has a first sealing member on a surface facing the space.

[0013] In the endoscope of the third aspect, in the first or second aspect, the tip body has a lever to which one end of the operating wire is connected for operating the stand, and a lever housing portion for housing the lever, and the tip cover seals the lever housing portion.

[0014] In the endoscope of the fourth aspect, in the first or second aspect, the tip body has a partition that separates the side where the stand is provided and the side where the wire insertion passage is provided, and the partition has a through hole that passes between the side where the stand is provided and the side where the wire insertion passage is provided, and is equipped with a power transmission member that is inserted into the through hole and has one end connected to the stand and the other end connected to the operating wire.

[0015] The endoscope of the fifth aspect is the endoscope of the fourth aspect, wherein the power transmission member has a rotating shaft that is inserted into the through hole and has one end to which a stand is connected, and a lever that is provided on the other end of the rotating shaft via a bent portion and to which an operating wire is connected, the tip body has a lever accommodating portion that accommodates the lever, and the tip cover seals the lever accommodating portion.

[0016] The endoscope according to a sixth aspect is the endoscope according to the fourth or fifth aspect, further comprising a second sealing member that seals the through hole.

[0017] In a seventh aspect, in the endoscope of the sixth aspect, the second sealing member is a biocompatible silicone lubricant.

[0018] In the endoscope of the eighth aspect, in any of the first to seventh aspects, the tip cover is attached to the tip body so as to be freely rotatable, and is rotated between a locked state in which it cannot rotate relative to the tip body, and an unlocked state in which the locked state is released.

[0019] The ninth aspect is an endoscope of the eighth aspect, in which the tip body has a hook portion, and the tip cover has a first hole that allows the hook portion to be inserted and removed, and a second hole that engages with the hook portion, with the state in which the hook portion is inserted into the first hole being the released state, and the state in which the hook portion is engaged with the second hole being the locked state.

[0020] The endoscope according to a tenth aspect is the endoscope of the ninth aspect, wherein the first hole and the second hole are arranged along the rotation direction of the tip cover.

[0021] The endoscope of the 11th aspect is the endoscope of the 9th or 10th aspect, in which the tip cover has an opening and a stopper portion protruding from the periphery of the opening toward the inside of the opening, and a first hole and a second hole are arranged on either side of the stopper portion.

[0022] The endoscope according to a twelfth aspect is the endoscope according to any one of the first to eleventh aspects, further comprising a cap attached to the outside of the tip cover. Effect of the Invention

[0023] According to the present invention, it is possible to improve the cleanability of the tip body of the endoscope insertion portion. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0024] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an assembled perspective view showing the configuration of a tip body of an endoscope insertion portion. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the structure of the tip body. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a schematic front view of the tip body. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an assembly diagram of the tip body. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the stand which is operated by operating a lever. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the appearance of the standing platform. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is an enlarged perspective view showing the configuration of the hook. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is an enlarged perspective view showing the configuration of the tip cover. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the state before the tip cover is fixed. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the state after the tip cover has been fixed. [Figure 11]FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of a sealing member provided on the front end cover. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is an assembled perspective view showing the connecting structure between the stand and the lever. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the connection structure shown in FIG. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the rotating shaft and the through hole. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram of a gap defined by a through hole and a rotation shaft. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0025] An endoscope according to an embodiment of the present invention will now be described.

[0026] [Embodiment] In the embodiment, a side-viewing endoscope used as a duodenoscope is illustrated as an example. This endoscope includes an operation unit operated by an operator, and an endoscope insertion unit (hereinafter, referred to as an "insertion unit") that is connected to the operation unit and inserted into a subject.

[0027] The insertion section is inserted into the subject via the oral cavity, and then further inserted through the esophagus and stomach into the duodenum, whereby a prescribed examination or treatment, etc., of the duodenum is performed using a treatment tool inserted into the insertion section.

[0028] Examples of treatment tools include biopsy forceps having a cup at the tip capable of collecting biological tissue, an EST (Endoscopic Sphincterotomy) knife, and an imaging tube.

[0029] 1 is an assembled perspective view showing the configuration of a tip portion 10 having a tip portion body 20 according to an embodiment. The tip portion body 20 is provided on the tip side of an insertion section 12. The tip portion body 20 is an example of the tip portion body of the present invention.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 1, the insertion section 12 has a long axis Ax extending from the base end connected to the operation section to the tip end, and is provided with, in order from the base end to the tip end, a flexible section, a bending section 14, and a tip section 10.

[0031] The bending portion 14 has a cylindrical member 16 that is configured to be bendable by providing cutouts in the circumferential direction, and the outer periphery of this cylindrical member 16 is covered with a mesh body woven with metal wires, which is further covered with a rubber outer cover. In addition, multiple wires extend from the angle knob of the operation unit to the bending portion 14, and the tips of these wires are fixed to the cylindrical member 16 that constitutes the bending portion 14. As a result, the bending portion 14 can be bent up, down, left, and right in response to the operation of the angle knob.

[0032] The tip portion 10 comprises a tip portion body 20, a tip cover 100 that is detachable from the tip portion body 20, and a cap 200 that is attached to the outside of the tip cover 100.

[0033] When attached to the tip body 20, the tip cover 100 has an opening 102 that opens an opening 30 on the upper side of the stand housing chamber 28 (see FIG. 3) described below. The tip cover 100 is made of a corrosion-resistant metal material. The tip cover 100 will be described later. The tip cover 100 is one example of the tip cover of the present invention.

[0034] Furthermore, the cap 200 has an opening window 202 that opens the above-mentioned opening 30 when attached to the tip body 20. The cap 200 has an engagement portion on its base end that engages with a groove formed in the tip body 20, and is detachably attached to the tip body 20. The cap 200 is made of an elastic or soft material, such as silicone rubber or polyethylene. The cap 200 is one example of the cap of the present invention.

[0035] Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the tip body 20. Fig. 3 is a schematic front view of the tip body 20.

[0036] 2 and 3, the tip body 20 has a pair of first and second partitions 22 and 24 which are part of the tip body 20 and face each other. A stand-up table accommodating chamber 28, which is a slit-shaped space for accommodating a stand 26 (not shown in FIG. 3), is formed between the first and second partitions 22 and 24. The opening on the upper surface side of the stand-up table accommodating chamber 28 in FIG. 2 is formed as the opening 30. The tip body 20 is made of a corrosion-resistant metal material.

[0037] In addition, a treatment tool insertion channel 32 is connected to the riser housing chamber 28 of the tip portion main body 20. The treatment tool insertion channel 32 is inserted into the insertion portion 12 and connected to the treatment tool introduction port of the operation portion. As a result, the treatment tool introduced from the treatment tool introduction port is led out to the riser housing chamber 28 through the treatment tool insertion channel 32.

[0038] The stand 26 is provided in the distal end main body 20 and is housed in the stand accommodating chamber 28. The stand 26 changes the direction of the treatment tool led out from the treatment tool outlet 32A, which is the distal end opening of the treatment tool insertion channel 32, to the stand accommodating chamber 28, and makes it protrude from the opening 30. The stand 26 is attached to the through hole 52 of the first partition wall 22 via a rotation shaft 50 (see FIG. 4) described later so as to be swingable, and can control the lead-out direction of the treatment tool when leading it out from the treatment tool outlet 32A. The stand 26 is an example of the stand of the present invention.

[0039] A concave lever accommodating chamber 56 for accommodating the lever 54 is formed on the surface of the first partition 22 opposite to the surface facing the stand accommodating chamber 28. The lever 54 and the lever accommodating chamber 56 are an example of the lever and lever accommodating portion of the present invention.

[0040] A storage chamber 58 for accommodating an optical system and the like is provided within the second partition 24. An irradiation window 60, an observation window 62, and an air and water nozzle 64 facing the observation window 62 are provided in the upper part of the storage chamber 58. The air and water nozzle 64 is connected to the air and water device via an air and water tube inserted into the insertion section 12. By operating an air and water button on the operation section, air or water is sprayed from the air and water nozzle 64 toward the observation window 62, thereby cleaning the observation window 62.

[0041] An illumination section and an imaging section are housed within the second partition 24. The illumination section includes an illumination lens installed inside the irradiation window 60, and a light guide arranged so that its tip faces the illumination lens. The light guide is inserted into the insertion section 12, and its base end is connected to the light source device. Thus, irradiation light from the light source device is transmitted via the light guide and irradiated from the irradiation window 60.

[0042] The photographing section includes a photographing optical system disposed inside the observation window 62, and a CMOS (complementary metal oxide semiconductor) type or CCD (charge coupled device) type imaging element. The imaging element is connected to an image processing device via a signal cable inserted into the insertion section 12. An imaging signal of a subject image obtained by imaging with this photographing section is input to the image processing device via the signal cable, and the subject image is displayed on a monitor connected to the image processing device.

[0043] Fig. 4 is an assembled perspective view of the tip body 20. Note that in Fig. 4, the lever 54 is omitted, and only the rotation shaft 50 provided on the lever 54 is shown.

[0044] As shown in Fig. 4, a through hole 52 is provided in the bottom surface of the concave lever accommodating chamber 56, which penetrates the first partition wall 22 and communicates with the stand accommodating chamber 28. A rotating shaft 50 that connects the stand 26 and the lever 54 is inserted into the through hole 52. That is, the first partition wall 22 is provided with the through hole 52 through which the rotating shaft 50 is inserted. Since the lever 54 in the lever accommodating chamber 56 swings around the rotating shaft 50, the lever accommodating chamber 56 is formed in a substantially sector shape with the rotating shaft 50 at its center. The rotating shaft 50 and the through hole 52 are an example of the rotating shaft and through hole of the present invention.

[0045] A detailed configuration will be described later, but one end of the lever 54 is connected to the stand 26 via the rotating shaft 50, and the other end is connected to an operating wire 66. The lever 54 swings integrally with the stand 26 around the rotating shaft 50 as the operating wire 66 is operated.

[0046] 2, the operating wire 66 has a connection portion 68 at its tip end which is connected to the lever 54 inside the lever housing chamber 56. That is, one end of the operating wire 66 is connected to the lever 54 for operating the stand 26. The operating wire 66 has its base end inserted through a wire insertion passage 71 from an outlet 70 opening in the wall surface of the lever housing chamber 56, and is connected to the stand operating mechanism in the operating section. The operating wire 66 and the wire insertion passage 71 are examples of the operating wire and wire insertion passage of the present invention.

[0047] The tip portion main body 20 thus configured has a first partition 22 that separates the side where the stand 26 is provided (the stand accommodating chamber 28) from the side where the wire insertion passage 71 is provided (the lever accommodating chamber 56). The first partition 22 is also provided with a through hole 52 that communicates between the side where the stand 26 is provided and the side where the wire insertion passage is provided. The first partition 22 is an example of a partition of the present invention.

[0048] 5A and 5B are explanatory diagrams illustrating the operation of the stand 26 which is operated by operating the lever 54. FIG.

[0049] As shown in VA of FIG. 5, when the operation wire 66 is pushed by the operation of the operation lever, the lever 54 swings in the direction A about the rotating shaft 50, and the stand 26 moves from the upright position to the lying position. On the other hand, as shown in VB of FIG. 5, when the operation wire 66 is pulled by the operation of the operation lever, the lever 54 swings in the direction B (opposite to the direction A) about the rotating shaft 50, and the stand 26 moves from the lying position to the upright position. In this way, the operation wire 66 can rotate the rotating shaft 50 via the lever 54 by operating the operation lever. This changes the position of the stand 26 between the upright position and the lying position. The lever 54 and the rotating shaft 50 may be provided integrally, or may be provided separately so as to be freely attached and detached. The lever 54 and the rotating shaft 50 are connected via a bent portion, and are an example of a power transmission member of the present invention.

[0050] FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the exterior of the stand 26 housed in the stand housing chamber 28. As shown in FIG.

[0051] 6, the riser 26 has an arc-shaped guide surface G. The guide surface G faces the treatment tool outlet 32A of the treatment tool insertion channel 32 in the riser housing chamber 28, and guides the treatment tool led out from the treatment tool outlet 32A to the riser housing chamber 28 toward the opening 30.

[0052] A through hole 72 into which the rotating shaft 50 is inserted is provided at the base end of the stand 26. By inserting the rotating shaft 50 into the through hole 72, the stand 26 is connected to the lever 54 via the rotating shaft 50.

[0053] <Tip cover> Next, returning to Fig. 1, the tip cover 100 will be described. When the tip cover 100 is attached to the tip body 20, it is a member that seals a space including at least the outlet 70 of the wire insertion passage 71. The tip cover 100 is attached to the tip body 20 by utilizing a hook portion 150 provided on the tip body 20. First, the hook portion 150 will be described.

[0054] <Hook section> As shown in FIG. 2, the hook portion 150 is provided on the tip surface 24A of the second partition wall 24 and protrudes from the tip surface 24A along the longitudinal axis Ax (forward). The recess 152 has an engagement portion 152, an abutment portion 154, and a connecting portion 156, and is configured to be L-shaped overall.

[0055] 7 is an enlarged perspective view showing the configuration of the hook portion 150. As shown in FIG. 7, the connecting portion 156 of the hook portion 150 protrudes forward from the tip surface 24A of the second partition wall 24. The abutting portion 154 protrudes from the tip of the connecting portion 156 toward the lower side of FIG. 2 so as to be parallel to the tip surface 24A of the second partition wall 24. The engaging portion 152 protrudes from the surface of the abutting portion 154 that faces the tip surface 24A toward the tip surface 24A. The above is the configuration of the hook portion 150. The hook portion 150 is an example of the hook portion of the present invention.

[0056] Fig. 8 is an enlarged perspective view showing the configuration of the tip cover 100. As shown in Fig. 8, the tip cover 100 has a fan-shaped tip wall 104 and a semi-cylindrical outer peripheral wall 106 provided on the periphery of the tip wall 104. When the tip cover 100 is attached to the tip body 20, the stand 26 and the treatment tool are led out from an opening 102 provided in the outer peripheral wall 106.

[0057] The tip wall 104 has a substantially fan-shaped opening 108. A peripheral portion 108A of the opening 108 has a stopper portion 110. The stopper portion 110 protrudes from the peripheral portion 108A toward the inside of the opening 108. A first hole 112 and a second hole 114 are arranged on both sides of the stopper portion 110. The first hole 112 and the second hole 114 are arranged along the rotation direction of the tip cover 100 described later. The opening 108, the stopper portion 110, the first hole 112, and the second hole 114 are examples of the opening, the stopper portion, the first hole, and the second hole of the present invention.

[0058] The size of the first hole 112 is configured to be larger than the size of the hook portion 150 (engagement portion 152). The size of the second hole 114 is configured to be smaller than the size of the hook portion 150 (engagement portion 152). This allows the hook portion 150 to protrude forward from the first hole 112 and the tip cover 100 to rotate, thereby allowing the hook portion 150 (engagement portion 152) to engage with the second hole 114.

[0059] Here, a method for fixing the tip cover 100 to the tip body 20 will be described with reference to Figures 9 and 10. Figure 9 is a perspective view showing the state before fixing, and Figure 10 is a perspective view showing the state after fixing.

[0060] As shown in Fig. 9, the tip cover 100 is rotatably attached to the tip body 20. The tip cover 100 rotates with respect to the tip body 20 between a locked state (see Fig. 10) in which it cannot rotate with respect to the tip body 20, and an unlocked state (see Fig. 9) in which the locked state is released. The tip cover 100 rotates about the long axis Ax as the rotation axis.

[0061] Specifically, the tip cover 100 is attached to the tip body 20 from the direction of arrow C (see FIG. 1). At this time, the engagement portion 152 of the hook portion 150 is inserted into the first hole 112 and protrudes forward from the tip wall 104, resulting in the released state shown in FIG. 9. That is, the state in which the hook portion 150 is inserted into the first hole 112 is the released state, allowing the tip cover 100 to rotate relative to the tip body 20.

[0062] Next, when the tip cover 100 is rotated in the direction of arrow D in Fig. 9, the stopper portion 110 enters the gap between the engagement portion 152 and the tip surface 24A, and in this state, the engagement portion 152 engages with the second hole 114. As a result, the tip cover 100 is fixed to the tip body 20 and is in a locked state. That is, the state in which the hook portion 150 engages with the second hole 114 is the locked state, which restricts inadvertent rotation of the tip cover 100 relative to the tip body 20. A cap 200 (see Fig. 1) is attached to the outside of the tip cover 100.

[0063] When removing the tip cover 100 from the tip body 20, the tip cover 100 in the locked state shown in Fig. 10 is rotated in the direction of arrow E (opposite the direction of arrow D) to change from the locked state to the released state shown in Fig. 9. This makes it possible to remove the tip cover 100 from the tip body 20.

[0064] 10, if liquid seeps into the lever accommodating chamber 56 from the gap between the tip body 20 and the tip cover 100 while the tip cover 100 is attached (fixed) to the tip body 20, the lever 54 and the outlet 70 of the wire insertion passage 71 will be contaminated by the liquid. If the outlet 70 of the wire insertion passage 71 becomes contaminated, the operating wire 66 in contact with the edge of the outlet 70 will also be contaminated. The operating wire 66 is made of multiple strands twisted together, and if liquid seeps between the strands, it will be extremely difficult to clean the operating wire 66 itself.

[0065] Therefore, in order to solve such problems in cleaning and to improve the cleaning properties of the tip body 20, the tip body 20 of the embodiment has the following configuration (sealing structure).

[0066] <Sealing structure of space including exit of wire insertion passage> According to the embodiment of the tip body 20, when the tip cover 100 is attached to the tip body 20 (see FIG. 10), the tip cover 100 seals at least the space including the exit 70 of the wire passage 71. Sealing refers to watertight shielding between the space including the exit 70 of the wire passage 71 and the outside space of that space. In contrast, covering simply covers the space at the exit 70 of the wire passage 71 and does not have the function of watertight shielding like sealing.

[0067] According to the embodiment of the tip body 20, when the tip cover 100 is attached to the tip body 20, the tip cover 100 seals at least the space including the outlet 70 of the wire passage 71, so that even if liquid seeps in through the gap between the tip body 20 and the tip cover 100, it is possible to prevent the outlet 70 of the wire passage 71 from being contaminated by liquid. This makes it possible to improve the cleanability of the tip body 20. Furthermore, if the lever accommodating chamber 56 is also sealed by the tip cover 100, it is possible to prevent the lever 54 from being contaminated by liquid, so that it is possible to improve the cleanability of the tip body 20.

[0068] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a sealing structure for sealing the above-mentioned space with the front end cover 100. As shown in FIG.

[0069] As shown in Figure 11, the tip cover 100 has a sealing member 120 on the inner surface 107A of the outer wall 107 of the outer peripheral wall 106 that faces the lever accommodating chamber 56. The sealing member 120 is configured in a frame shape on the inner surface 107A, and when the tip cover 100 is attached to the tip body 20 (see Figure 10), it comes into close contact with the tip body 20 (first partition 22) and surrounds the exit 70 of the wire insertion passage 71 formed in the first partition 22 and the lever accommodating chamber 56.

[0070] At this time, the space including the outlet 70 of the wire passage 71 and the space including the lever accommodating chamber 56 become spaces that are watertightly shielded from the outside space by the tip body 20, the tip cover 100, and the sealing member 120. This seals the space including the outlet 70 of the wire passage 71. The tip cover 100 also seals the lever accommodating chamber 56.

[0071] An example of sealing member 120 is a frame-shaped elastic member (e.g., made of rubber). In this case, sealing member 120 can be configured by arranging a frame-shaped elastic member on inner surface 107A. Note that inner surface 107A of outer wall 107 is an example of a surface facing the space portion of the present invention, and sealing member 120 is an example of a first sealing member.

[0072] By providing such a sealing member 120 to the tip cover 100, it is possible to reliably seal at least the space including the outlet 70 of the wire insertion passage 71, thereby preventing contamination of the outlet 70 by liquid. This makes it possible to improve the cleanability of the tip body 20. In addition, since the lever accommodating chamber 56 is also sealed by the sealing member 120, it is also possible to prevent contamination of the lever 54 by liquid.

[0073] As a means for preventing contamination of the outlet 70, the outlet 70 may be filled with a lubricant to seal the outlet 70. In this case, a biocompatible silicone lubricant may be used as the lubricant. As another means for preventing contamination, a tubular sealing member 122 (see FIG. 12) may be fitted into the outlet 70 to prevent contamination of the outlet 70. The sealing member 122 has a slit 122A formed along the axial direction, and the operation wire 66 can be inserted into the inside of the sealing member 122 through the slit 122A.

[0074] Incidentally, the tip body 20 is a component that is exposed to liquids such as body fluids when the endoscope is in use. Therefore, liquid may flow from the stand housing chamber 28 into the through hole 52 of the first partition 22 and enter the lever housing chamber 56. If this happens, the rotating shaft 50, the through hole 52, the lever 54, etc. will become contaminated by the liquid, and these parts must be cleaned, but because these parts are small and have complex shapes, it is difficult to clean them completely.

[0075] Therefore, in order to solve the above-mentioned cleaning problem and to improve the cleaning ability of the tip body 20, the tip body 20 of the embodiment has the following configuration.

[0076] <Through-hole sealing structure> 12 is an assembled perspective view showing a connecting structure between the stand 26 and the lever 54 for sealing the through hole 52. FIG 13 is a cross-sectional view of the connecting structure shown in FIG 12.

[0077] <Rotation axis> First, the rotating shaft 50 will be described. The rotating shaft 50 has side portions 50B, whose circumferential surface parallel to the axis 50A direction of the rotating shaft 50, and curved arc portions 50C. More specifically, the rotating shaft 50 has three side portions 50B and three arc portions 50C alternately formed in the circumferential direction of the rotating shaft 50, and has a substantially triangular prism shape in which the side portions 50B and the arc portions 50C extend along the axis 50A direction.

[0078] When such a rotating shaft 50 is inserted into the through hole 52 to connect the stand 26 and the lever 54, as shown in the cross-sectional view of the rotating shaft 50 and the through hole 52 in Fig. 14, the arc portion 50C of the rotating shaft 50 is in sliding contact with the inner surface 52A of the through hole 52, which is a round hole, but the side portion 50B of the rotating shaft 50 does not contact the inner surface 52A. Therefore, a gap 53 is formed between the side portion 50B and the inner surface 52A. In this example, the gaps 53 are formed at three locations in the circumferential direction of the rotating shaft 50.

[0079] FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram of the gap 53 provided between the side portion 50B of the rotating shaft 50 and the inner surface 52A of the through-hole 52. As shown in FIG.

[0080] As shown in FIG. 15, gap portion 53 is a space defined by side portion 50B and inner surface 52A, and is formed in an approximately crescent shape having gap side edge portion 53A along side portion 50B and gap side arc portion 53B along inner surface 52A.

[0081] Since the gap 53 thus formed serves as a flow path for fluid flowing from the stand housing chamber 28 toward the lever housing chamber 56, it is necessary to close the gap 53 and seal the through hole 52 in order to improve the cleanability of the tip body 20. Therefore, the tip body 20 of the embodiment is provided with a sealing member 80 for sealing the through hole 52 in the connection structure between the stand 26 and the lever 54. The sealing member 80 will be described below.

[0082] <Sealing member> In this example, a lubricant is used as the sealing member 80. As shown in FIG. 15, the sealing member 80, which is a lubricant, is filled into the three gaps 53. As a result, the through-hole 52 is sealed by the sealing member 80, so that the flow of fluid from the stand housing chamber 28 to the lever housing chamber 56 can be blocked by the sealing member 80. An example of the lubricant is a biocompatible silicone lubricant. The sealing member 80 is an example of the second sealing member of the present invention.

[0083] As described above, according to the embodiment of the tip body 20, since the sealing member 80 that seals the through hole 52 is provided, it is possible to prevent liquids such as body fluids from entering the lever accommodating chamber 56 through the through hole 52. This makes it possible to improve the cleanability of the tip body 20.

[0084] <Modification> Some modified examples will be described below.

[0085] First Modified Example In the embodiment, a frame-shaped elastic member arranged on the inner surface 107A is exemplified as the sealing member 120, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, as another sealing member, a frame-shaped convex portion may be integrally formed on the inner surface 107A, and the convex portion may be brought into close contact with the tip body 20 to seal the above-mentioned space. Also, a biocompatible silicone lubricant may be applied in a frame shape to the inner surface 107A, and the biocompatible silicone lubricant may be brought into close contact with the tip body 20 to seal the above-mentioned space.

[0086] In each of the above embodiments, a side-viewing endoscope has been used as an example, but the present invention can be applied to various endoscopes, such as ultrasonic endoscopes and direct-view endoscopes, which are provided with a stand at the tip of the insertion section for changing the direction in which a treatment tool is ejected.

[0087] Although the endoscope according to the embodiment has been described above, the present invention may be improved or modified in several ways without departing from the gist of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0088] 10 Tip 12 Insertion section 14 Curved section 16 Cylindrical member 20 Tip body 22 1st bulkhead 24 Second bulkhead 24A Tip surface 26 Standing platform 28 Standing Platform Storage Room 30 aperture 32 Treatment tool insertion channel 32A Treatment tool outlet 50 Rotational Axis 50A shaft 50B side part 50C arc 52 Through hole 52A Inner surface 53 Cavity 53A Gap side part 53B Gap side arc part 54 Lever 56 Lever Containment Room 58 Containment Room 60 Irradiation window 62 Observation window 64 Air and water supply nozzle 66 Control wire 68 Connection 70 exit 71 Wire passage 72 Through hole 72B Hole side 72C Hole side arc part 80 Sealing member 100 Tip cover 102 Open area 104 Tip wall 106 Outer wall 107 Exterior Wall 107A Inner surface 108 Opening 108A Periphery 110 Stopper part 112 Hole 1 114 2nd hole 122 Sealing member 122A Slit 150 Hook part 152 Engagement part 154 Contact part 156 Connection section 200 Cap 202 Opening window Ax long axis direction G Guide surface

Claims

1. A tip body provided at the tip side of the endoscope insertion part; A stand provided on the tip body; A tip cover that is detachable from the tip body; An operating wire for operating the stand; a wire insertion passage through which the operation wire is inserted; Equipped with When the tip cover is attached to the tip body, the tip cover seals at least a space including an outlet of the wire insertion passage. Endoscope.

2. The tip cover has a first sealing member on a surface facing the space. The endoscope according to claim 1 .

3. The tip body includes: a lever to which one end of the operating wire is connected and which operates the stand; a lever housing portion that houses the lever; having The tip cover seals the lever housing portion. The endoscope according to claim 1 .

4. The tip portion main body has a partition wall that separates a side where the stand is provided and a side where the wire insertion passage is provided, a through hole penetrating between a side where the stand is provided and a side where the wire insertion passage is provided, a power transmission member that is inserted into the through hole, has one end connected to the stand, and has the other end connected to the operation wire; The endoscope according to claim 1 .

5. The power transmission member is a rotating shaft that is inserted into the through hole and has one end connected to the stand; a lever provided at the other end of the rotating shaft via a bent portion and connected to the operating wire; having The tip body has a lever housing portion that houses the lever, The tip cover seals the lever housing portion. The endoscope according to claim 4.

6. A second sealing member that seals the through hole is provided. The endoscope according to claim 4.

7. the second sealing member is a biocompatible silicone lubricant; The endoscope according to claim 6.

8. The tip cover is rotatably attached to the tip body and is rotated between a locked state in which the tip cover cannot rotate with respect to the tip body and an unlocked state in which the locked state is released. An endoscope according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. The tip body has a hook portion, the tip cover has a first hole that allows the hook portion to be inserted and removed, and a second hole that engages with the hook portion, A state in which the hook portion is inserted into the first hole is the released state, and a state in which the hook portion is engaged with the second hole is the locked state. The endoscope according to claim 8.

10. The first hole and the second hole are arranged along a rotation direction of the tip cover. The endoscope according to claim 9.

11. The tip cover has an opening, A stopper portion is provided protruding from a peripheral portion of the opening toward the inside of the opening, The first hole and the second hole are disposed on both sides of the stopper portion. The endoscope according to claim 10.

12. A cap is attached to the outside of the tip cover. The endoscope according to claim 11.

Images