Endoscope operation part and endoscope

Abstract

To provide an endoscope operation part and an endoscope that have improved operability of a hardness adjusting operation.SOLUTION: A hand operation part 12 of an endoscope 10 includes a cam mechanism 100 having a cam ring 42 with a cam groove and a push ring 44 having a cam pin 48 that engages with the cam groove 52; and a spacer 80 arranged on one axial direction side of the cam ring 42. An apical surface 80A of the spacer 80 can be brought into surface contact with a base end surface 42C of the cam ring 42, and the spacer 80 includes a plurality of groove bottom parts 82B...92B with different distances from the apical surface 80A. The position in a longitudinal axis A direction of the spacer 80 is regulated by a fixing pin 94 engaging with any one of the groove bottom parts 82B...92B.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an operating section of an endoscope and an endoscope, and more particularly to an operating section of an endoscope having a cam mechanism connected to a hardness adjustment member for adjusting the hardness of an insertion section, and an endoscope equipped with such an operating section. [Background technology]

[0002] An endoscope having a flexible section in the insertion section can have the hardness of the flexible section changed by a hardness adjustment device. When inserting the endoscope into the body of a patient or other subject, a surgeon such as a doctor operates an operating ring or the like provided on the operating section to adjust the hardness of the flexible section while inserting the endoscope.

[0003] The endoscope in Patent Document 1 has, as one of its hardness adjusting means, a coil for adjusting the hardness of the flexible section and a cam mechanism connected to the coil. This cam mechanism is composed of a cam ring with a cam groove, a push ring connected to the coil and having a cam pin, and a frame with a linear groove, and the cam pin is arranged to engage with the cam groove and the linear groove.

[0004] When the cam ring is rotated, the cam pin moves straight ahead, guided by the cam groove in the cam ring and the linear groove in the frame, causing the push ring to move towards the tip, compressing the coil and hardening the soft part.

[0005] However, repeated use of the hardness adjusting means may cause plastic deformation (also called settling) of the coil, making it impossible to apply the desired compressive force even when the cam ring is rotated, thereby narrowing the range in which the hardness can be adjusted.

[0006] To address this issue, in Patent Document 1, the cam ring is composed of a first cam ring and a second cam ring. By changing the relative positions of the first cam ring and the second cam ring, the distance between the first cam pin and the second cam pin is adjusted, and the compressive force on the coil is adjusted.

[0007] When the cam ring is rotated, the base end face of the second cam ring rotates while contacting the second cam pin. This restricts the movement of the entire cam ring toward the base end, and the first cam pin, whose distance from the second cam pin has been adjusted, moves toward the tip along the cam groove and linear groove. Then, as the first cam pin moves, the push ring moves toward the tip, compressing the coil. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0008] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-067529 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0009] However, in the endoscope of Patent Document 1, which adjusts the compression force of the coil using a cam mechanism, the second cam ring and the second cam pin are in line contact and rotate, which can make it difficult to operate the hardness adjustment operation.

[0010] That is, with this structure, the number of contact points is limited, which results in localized high pressure, which causes a lack of smoothness in the rotation operation and reduces operability.

[0011] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has an object to provide an operation section of an endoscope and an endoscope that can improve the operability of the hardness adjustment operation. [Means for solving the problem]

[0012] The operating section of the endoscope of the first aspect is equipped with a hardness adjustment operating mechanism that operates a hardness adjustment member that changes the hardness of the insertion section, and the hardness adjustment operating mechanism has a cam ring having a cam groove and a movable body having a cam pin that engages with the cam groove, and adjusts the hardness of the hardness adjustment member by moving the movable body in the axial direction of the cam ring in accordance with rotation of the cam ring, and is equipped with: a spacer that is arranged on one axial side of the cam ring, and has a spacer end face that can come into surface contact with the cam ring end face formed on one axial side of the cam ring, and has a plurality of pin engagement portions that are different from each other in the axial direction from the spacer end face, and a fixed pin that engages with the pin engagement portion and regulates the axial position of the spacer.

[0013] In the operating section of the endoscope of the second aspect, in the first aspect, the spacer has a cylindrical shape with an outer peripheral surface, and the spacer has a plurality of through grooves arranged at different positions in the circumferential direction of the outer peripheral surface, formed in a slit shape that opens on the opposite end face opposite the spacer end face, and having different axial lengths, and the through grooves have a groove bottom portion that forms a pin engagement portion on the spacer end face side.

[0014] In the operating section of the endoscope of the third aspect, in the second aspect, the spacer is configured to be movable in the axial direction, and when the spacer is positioned at a position closest to the cam ring side, at least a portion of the fixing pin is positioned closer to the bottom of the groove than the opposite end face.

[0015] In the fourth aspect of the operating section of the endoscope, in the first aspect, the spacer has a cylindrical shape with an outer peripheral surface, and the spacer has a plurality of through holes arranged at different positions circumferentially on the outer peripheral surface and formed in a circular, elliptical, oblong, or polygonal shape, and the through holes form the pin engagement portion.

[0016] The operation portion of the endoscope of the fifth aspect is any one of the first to fourth aspects, wherein the spacer is made of a material softer than the cam ring.

[0017] The operation portion of the endoscope of the sixth aspect is the same as that of the fifth aspect, in that the spacer is made of resin.

[0018] The operating section of the endoscope of the seventh aspect is, in any of the first to sixth aspects, provided with an operating ring that receives an operation to rotate the cam ring, and a packing ring that is arranged inside the operating ring and engages with the operating ring, and a portion of the spacer is located inside the packing ring.

[0019] The operation portion of the endoscope of the eighth aspect is any one of the first to seventh aspects, wherein the cam pin and the fixing pin are arranged side by side in the axial direction.

[0020] The operating section of the endoscope of the ninth aspect comprises a hardness adjustment operating mechanism for operating a hardness adjustment member that changes the hardness of the insertion section, the hardness adjustment operating mechanism having a cam ring with a cam groove and a movable body having a cam pin that engages with the cam groove, and adjusting the hardness of the hardness adjustment member by moving the movable body in the axial direction, which is the axial direction of the cam ring, in accordance with the rotation of the cam ring, and a spacer arranged on one axial side of the cam ring, the spacer having a cylindrical shape with an outer peripheral surface and a spacer end face formed on the cam ring side, the spacer having a plurality of through grooves arranged at different circumferential positions on the outer peripheral surface and formed in a slit shape that is open on the opposite end face opposite the spacer end face, the through grooves having different axial lengths, and a fixing pin that engages with the groove bottom on the spacer end face side of the through groove and regulates the axial position of the spacer.

[0021] An endoscope of a tenth aspect includes the operation section of the endoscope of any one of the first to ninth aspects and an insertion section, and the hardness adjusting member is configured by a coil and a wire inserted into the insertion section. [Effects of the Invention]

[0022] According to the present invention, the operability of the hardness adjustment operation is improved. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0023] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of an endoscope according to this embodiment. [Figure 2]FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the insertion portion and is an explanatory diagram of the hardness adjusting member. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is an external view of an operation ring provided on the hand operation unit. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view illustrating the cam mechanism and the spacer. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the main parts of the cam mechanism and the spacer. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the interlocking mechanism between the operation ring and the cam ring. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the spacer. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the operation of the cam mechanism. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the operation of the cam mechanism. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the operation of the cam mechanism. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the operation of the cam mechanism. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the function of the spacer. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the positional relationship between the spacer and the fixing pin. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the structure of another spacer. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0024] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0025] <Overall structure of the endoscope> Fig. 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of an endoscope 10 according to this embodiment. As shown in Fig. 1, the endoscope 10 includes a handheld control unit 12 and an insertion section 14 connected to the handheld control unit 12. For example, an operator holds and operates the handheld control unit 12 with his left hand, while holding the insertion section 14 with his right hand and inserting the insertion section 14 into a body cavity of a subject, thereby observing the examination site. The handheld control unit 12 and the insertion section 14 share a common longitudinal axis A. The handheld control unit 12 and the insertion section 14 are examples of the control unit and insertion section of the present invention.

[0026] The proximal end of a universal cable 16 is connected to the handheld operation unit 12, and a connector (not shown) is provided at the distal end of the universal cable 16. This connector is connected to a system configuration device including a light source device and an endoscope processor. This allows illumination light to be sent from the light source device to an illumination optical system provided at the distal end of the insertion section 14. In addition, data of an observation image obtained by the endoscope 10 is output to the processor, and the image is displayed on a monitor device connected to the processor device.

[0027] The base end of the insertion section 14 is connected to the tip end of the handheld operation section 12. The insertion section 14 comprises, from the base end to the tip end of the insertion section 14, a flexible section 18, a bending section 20, and a tip hard section 22. The bending section 20 is remotely bent by rotating angle knobs 24, 24 provided on the handheld operation section 12. This allows the tip surface of the tip hard section 22 to be oriented in a desired direction.

[0028] The handheld operation unit 12 is also provided with an air / water supply button 26, a suction button 28, a forceps introduction port 30, an operation ring 38, and the like.

[0029] The air and water supply button 26 is an operating button for supplying air and water to the examination area, etc. from the air and water supply port (not shown) of the tip rigid portion 22 via the air and water supply channel (not shown) inserted into the insertion portion 14.

[0030] The suction button 28 is an operation button for performing suction from a forceps port (not shown) of the distal end rigid portion 22 via a forceps channel (not shown) inserted through the insertion portion 14.

[0031] The forceps introduction port 30 is an opening that communicates with the forceps channel and allows the operator to introduce a treatment tool such as forceps. The treatment tool is led out from the forceps port toward the examination site.

[0032] The operation ring 38 is rotatable about the longitudinal axis A, and is rotated by the surgeon when adjusting the hardness of the insertion portion 14. The operation ring 38 is an example of the operation ring of the present invention.

[0033] The endoscope 10 also includes a stiffness adjustment member 36 for adjusting the stiffness of the insertion section 14, and a cam mechanism 100 (see FIGS. 3 to 5) connected to the stiffness adjustment member 36. The stiffness adjustment member 36 is driven by the cam mechanism 100. The cam mechanism 100 is provided in the handheld operation unit 12, and is operated by rotating an operation ring 38. The cam mechanism 100 is an example of a stiffness adjustment operation mechanism of the present invention.

[0034] <Hardness adjusting material> Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the insertion section 14. To avoid cluttering the drawing, Fig. 2 mainly shows the hardness adjusting member 36 having the coil 32 and the wire 34. The hardness adjusting member 36 is an example of the hardness adjusting member of the present invention.

[0035] 2, the hardness adjusting member 36 that adjusts the hardness of the insertion section 14 has a coil 32 and a wire 34. The coil 32 is inserted from the proximal operation section 12 into the flexible section 18. The wire 34 is inserted into the hollow section of the coil 32. The distal ends of the wire 34 and the coil 32 are fixed to a metal fitting 40 by a fixing method such as brazing.

[0036] The base end of the connection wire 35 is fixed to the metal fitting 40, and a hook-shaped fixing part 37 is fixed to the tip end of the connection wire 35. The fixing part 37 is fixed to the base end of the bending part 20, for example.

[0037] The proximal end of the wire 34 is fixed to a wire sleeve 66 (see FIG. 4) provided on the proximal operation unit 12. Meanwhile, the proximal end of the coil 32 is held in an unfixed state by a push ring 44 (see FIG. 4) of the cam mechanism 100. When the operation ring 38 is rotated to operate the cam mechanism 100, the push ring 44 is moved in the direction of the longitudinal axis A. In conjunction with this movement of the push ring 44, the coil 32 is compressed along the direction of the longitudinal axis A and returned from the compressed state to its natural length. When the coil 32 is compressed, the flexible portion 18 of the insertion section 14 hardens, and when the length of the coil 32 is returned to its natural length, the flexible portion 18 softens. In this way, the hardness of the flexible portion 18 is adjusted by changing the state (compressed state and natural length state) of the coil 32 using the cam mechanism 100.

[0038] <Cam mechanism> Fig. 3 is an external view showing an operation ring 38 (also called a dial ring) provided on the tip side of the hand operation unit 12. Fig. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV in Fig. 3, and is an explanatory diagram showing the internal structure of the cam mechanism 100. Fig. 5 is an external view of Fig. 3 with the operation ring 38 removed.

[0039] Here, there are two modes of the hardness adjusting member 36 for adjusting the hardness of the flexible section 18: a traction mode in which the wire 34 is pulled toward the base end of the proximal operation section 12, and a compression mode in which the coil 32 is pushed toward the distal end of the insertion section 14. The cam mechanism 100 of this embodiment employs a compression mode. In this example, the cam mechanism 100 is used as a mechanism for compressing the coil 32. The hardness of the flexible section 18 can be adjusted by operating the cam mechanism 100 to compress the coil 32. It is configured such that the greater the amount of compression of the coil 32, the greater the hardness of the flexible section 18.

[0040] The cam mechanism 100 includes a cam ring 42 , a push ring 44 , a frame 46 , and a cam pin 48 .

[0041] The cam ring 42, the push ring 44, and the frame 46 are each configured in a cylindrical shape, with the cam ring 42 disposed on the outside and the push ring 44 disposed on the inside, and the frame 46 disposed between the cam ring 42 and the push ring 44.

[0042] The frame 46 is fixed to the handheld operating unit 12 so as not to rotate, with the central axis of the frame 46 being approximately parallel to the longitudinal axis A. The frame 46 also has a guide hole 50 for guiding the linear movement of the cam pin 48 along the longitudinal axis A.

[0043] The cam ring 42 has a cam groove 52 and is rotatably and slidingly brought into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the frame 46. The structure of the cam ring 42 will be described later.

[0044] The cam pin 48 is slidably engaged with the cam groove 52. The cam pin 48 is inserted into a guide hole 50 of the frame 46, and is fitted into a hole (not shown) of the push ring 44 and fixed therein.

[0045] The push ring 44 is in sliding contact with the inner peripheral surface of the frame 46 so as to be movable along the longitudinal axis A. The push ring 44 moves linearly along the longitudinal axis A together with the cam pins 48 as the cam ring 42 rotates. This allows the push ring 44 to drive the coil 32 (moving in the compression direction and in the direction returning to its natural length), thereby changing the state of the coil 32. The push ring 44 is an example of a movable body of the present invention. The cam pins 48 are an example of a cam pin of the present invention.

[0046] A cylindrical ring cover 70 is provided on the outside of cam ring 42. Ring cover 70 is fixed to cam ring 42 with screws 72 (see FIG. 5) and rotates integrally with cam ring 42. When fixed to cam ring 42, ring cover 70 prevents cam pins 48 from falling off cam ring 42.

[0047] 6A and 6B show the interlocking structure between the operation ring 38 and the ring cover 70. According to this interlocking structure, keys 38A, 38A protruding from the inner surface of the operation ring 38 are engaged with key grooves 70A, 70A formed on the outer surface of the ring cover 70. The keys 38A and the key grooves 70A are each provided along the longitudinal axis A. As a result, when the operation ring 38 is rotated, the cam ring 42 rotates around the central axis of the frame 46, which is parallel to the longitudinal axis A, via the ring cover 70.

[0048] 6A and 6B show an example in which two keys 38A and two key grooves 70A are provided at 180° intervals around the circumference of the operation ring 38 and the ring cover 70, respectively, but the number of keys 38A and key grooves 70A is not limited to this. However, it is preferable that the keys 38A and the key grooves 70A are arranged at equal intervals around the circumference.

[0049] 6, VIB, a thick portion 44A is provided on a part of the inner periphery of the push ring 44, and the thick portion 44A has a storage hole 44B for storing the base end of the coil 32. The thick portion 44A also has a groove 44C for preventing rotation of the coil 32. By engaging the base end of the coil 32 with this groove 44C, rotation of the coil 32 around its axis is prevented.

[0050] 4, the base end of the coil 32 is housed in the housing hole 44B. The housing hole 44B is drilled parallel to the longitudinal axis A from the end face on the tip end side of the push ring 44. The inner diameter of the housing hole 44B is approximately the same as the outer diameter of the coil 32, and holds the base end of the coil 32 so that it can be freely pushed in.

[0051] On the other hand, the base end of the wire 34 passes through a through-hole (not shown) that penetrates from the storage hole 44B to the base end side of the push ring 44, and is fixed to the wire sleeve 66. The wire sleeve 66 is not supported by any member, but is a member that is fixed to the base end of the wire 34.

[0052] 4, a pair of packing rings 54 and 55 including O-rings or the like are disposed in the handheld operation unit 12. The operation ring 38 and the pair of packing rings 54 and 55 are engaged with each other, thereby ensuring watertightness in the handheld operation unit 12.

[0053] As shown in Fig. 4, spacer 80 is disposed on one side of cam ring 42 in the direction of longitudinal axis A, that is, on the base end side. A fixing pin 94 is fixed to frame 60. The fixing pin 94 regulates the position of spacer 80 in the direction of longitudinal axis A. The structure of spacer 80 will be described later.

[0054] 4, the tip side of the packing ring 54 is arranged so as to overlap a part of the base end side of the spacer 80. In other words, the base end side (one end) of the spacer 80 is arranged inside the packing ring 54. With this configuration, the handheld operation unit 12 can be made smaller and space can be saved.

[0055] Figure 5 is an external view with operation ring 38 removed from Figure 3, and Figure VA in Figure 5 shows a state in which cam ring 42 is located on the distal end side, and Figure 5 VB in Figure 5 shows a state in which cam ring 42 is located on the proximal end side and is in surface contact with spacer 80. Cam ring 42 is configured to be movable between the distal end side and the proximal end side along the direction of longitudinal axis A.

[0056] 5 shows a state in which coil 32 is at its natural length without being compressed by cam mechanism 100, and flexible section 18 has not had its hardness adjusted. In this state, cam ring 42 is positioned at the distal end. There is a gap SP (so-called play) on the proximal end side of cam ring 42, allowing cam ring 42 to move toward the proximal end.

[0057] When the flexible section 18 is bent in this state, the inserted coil 32 also bends. This bending stretches the coil 32. As the coil 32 stretches, the base end of the coil 32 moves toward the base end, moving the push ring 44 toward the base end. The cam pin 48 fixed to the push ring 44 moves toward the base end and presses the cam ring 42 toward the base end. Therefore, when the hardness of the flexible section 18 is not adjusted, a gap SP is provided on the base end side of the cam ring 42 so that a reaction force from the cam ring 42 does not act on the coil 32. When the cam ring 42 is pressed, the cam ring 42 moves into the gap SP on the base end side, thereby releasing the force transmitted from the coil 32 to the cam pin 48.

[0058] VB in Fig. 5 shows a state in which cam ring 42 has been rotated from the state VA in Fig. 5, and cam mechanism 100 begins to compress coil 32. When cam ring 42 is rotated from VA to VB in Fig. 5, cam ring 42 moves toward the base end due to sliding between cam pins 48 and cam grooves 52. This is because cam pins 48 receive a reaction force in the base end direction from coil 32 via push ring 44, and therefore cam pins 48 do not move when cam ring 42 is rotated.

[0059] Further, when cam ring 42 is rotated, cam ring 42 and spacer 80 come into surface contact, and spacer 80 engages with fixing pin 94 to position it. Movement of cam ring 42 toward the base end is restricted, and cam mechanism 100 allows cam pin 48 to move toward the tip end. Movement of cam pin 48 toward the tip end allows compression of coil 32. The operation of cam mechanism 100 will be described later.

[0060] <Spacer> 7 is a perspective view of spacer 80. As will be described later, spacer 80 is a member that comes into surface contact with cam ring 42 when compressing coil 32, and has the function of adjusting the compression start position when compressing coil 32.

[0061] First, the structure of the spacer 80 will be described. As shown in Fig. 7, the spacer 80 of this example is cylindrical and has an annular tip surface 80A, an outer peripheral surface 80B about the longitudinal axis A, and a base end surface 80C. A plurality of through grooves (through grooves 82A, 84A, 86A, 88A, 90A, and 92A) are formed in the outer peripheral surface 80B and are arranged at different positions in the circumferential direction of the outer peripheral surface 80B. Each of the through grooves (through grooves 82A...92A) is formed in a slit shape that is open on the side of the base end surface 80C opposite to the tip surface 80A. Each of the through grooves (through grooves 82A...92A) penetrates the outer peripheral surface 80B in the thickness direction.

[0062] Each through groove (through grooves 82A, 84A, 86A, 88A, 90A, and 92A) has a groove bottom (groove bottoms 82B, 84B, 86B, 88B, 90B, and 92B) on the distal end surface 80A side. Each through groove (through grooves 82A...92A) has a different length from the base end surface 80C in the direction of the longitudinal axis A. With this configuration, distances L1, L2, L3, L4, L5, and L6 in the direction of the longitudinal axis A from the distal end surface 80A to each groove bottom (groove bottoms 82B, 84B, 86B, 88B, 90B, and 92B) are all different. Specifically, distance L1, distance L2, distance L3, distance L4, distance L5, and distance L6 increase in this order, with distance L1 being the shortest and distance L6 being the longest. With this configuration, as will be described later, the position of the tip surface 80A of the spacer 80 in the longitudinal axis A direction (distances L1 to L6) can be adjusted, and the compression start position of the coil 32 can be adjusted.

[0063] In this example, there are two of each of the through grooves (through grooves 82A...92A), which are arranged symmetrically about the longitudinal axis A.

[0064] The spacer 80 of this example has through grooves (through grooves 82A... 92A) that are open on the base end surface 80C side, and thus has an overall comb-like shape as shown in FIG. 8. The comb-like shape of the spacer 80 makes it easy to remove from a mold, and the spacer 80 can be a molded part manufactured through a process such as injection molding. Therefore, the spacer 80 can be manufactured inexpensively.

[0065] <Explanation of the cam mechanism and spacer operation> The operation of the spacer 80 and the cam mechanism 100 will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0066] As shown in FIG. 8 of this embodiment, the cam ring 42 has a cylindrical shape and includes an annular tip surface 42A, an outer peripheral surface 42B around the longitudinal axis A, and a base end surface 42C. Two cam grooves 52 are formed in the outer peripheral surface 42B along the circumferential direction. The cam grooves 52 penetrate the cam ring 42 in the thickness direction. When the cam ring 42 is viewed from a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A, the cam grooves 52 are inclined with respect to the longitudinal axis A. The cam grooves 52 include a first cam groove 52A and a second cam groove 52B, and the two cam grooves have different degrees of inclination. Specifically, the inclination angle θ1 formed between the first cam groove 52A and the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A is greater than the inclination angle θ2 formed between the second cam groove 52B and the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A. The inclination angle determines the amount of movement of the cam pins 48 or the cam ring 42 along the longitudinal axis A relative to the amount of operation of the cam ring 42.

[0067] 8, cam pins 48 are slidably engaged with cam grooves 52 of cam ring 42. Cam pins 48 are configured to be movable when cam ring 42 is rotated.

[0068] Spacer 80 is disposed on the base end side of one side in the direction of longitudinal axis A of cam ring 42. Fixing pin 94 engages with a selected one of the groove bottoms (groove bottoms 82B...92B) of spacer 80, thereby positioning spacer 80. Fixing pin 94 restricts spacer 80 from rotating around longitudinal axis A. Here, as an example, through groove 82A is selected, and the distance from groove bottom 82B to tip surface 80A is the shortest distance L1. FIG. 8 shows a state in which spacer 80 and cam ring 42 are spaced apart, and cam mechanism 100 is not compressing coil 32, similar to VA in FIG. 5.

[0069] Figure 9 shows the state in which cam ring 42 has been rotated from the state in Figure 8. As described above, when cam ring 42 is rotated, cam ring 42 moves toward the base end while sliding cam pins 48 and cam grooves 52 (first cam grooves 52A). Because the inclination angle θ1 of first cam grooves 52A is large, a small amount of operation of cam ring 42 can move cam ring 42 a large gap SP on the base end side. This allows cam ring 42 to transition from a state in which the hardness is not adjusted to a state in which the hardness is adjustable in a short time.

[0070] In FIG. 9, the tip surface 80A of the spacer 80 and the base end surface 42C of the cam ring 42 are in surface contact. In this example, the reaction force acting on the cam ring 42 is received through surface contact between the tip surface 80A of the spacer 80 and the base end surface 42C of the cam ring 42. The cam pin 48 is located on the base end side of the second cam groove 52B. The groove bottom 82B engages with the fixing pin 94, thereby positioning the spacer 80 in the direction of the longitudinal axis A. The position where the tip surface 80A of the spacer 80 and the base end surface 42C of the cam ring 42 are in surface contact is the compression start position where compression of the coil 32 begins.

[0071] Specifically, the compression start position is determined by the distance L1. In the initial stage, the shortest distance L1 is selected. It is preferable that the cam pin 48 and the fixing pin 94 are arranged side by side in the direction along the longitudinal axis A. This makes it difficult for the cam ring 42 to tilt, allowing the cam ring 42 to rotate smoothly.

[0072] Spacer 80 is an example of a spacer of the present invention. Through grooves 82A...92A are an example of a through groove of the present invention and constitute a pin engagement portion. Tip surface 80A is an example of a spacer end face of the present invention. Groove bottoms 82B...92B are an example of a pin engagement portion of the present invention. Cam ring 42 is an example of a cam ring of the present invention. Cam groove 52 is an example of a cam groove of the present invention. Base end surface 42C is an example of a cam ring end face of the present invention.

[0073] FIG. 10 shows the state in which the cam ring 42 has been rotated from the state shown in FIG. 9 . The movement of the spacer 80 toward the base end side is restricted by the fixing pin 94, so the position of the spacer 80 in the direction of the longitudinal axis A is determined. Then, when the cam ring 42 is rotated with the base end surface 42C of the cam ring 42 in surface contact with the tip end surface 80A of the spacer 80, whose position in the direction of the longitudinal axis A has been determined, the cam pins 48 slide along the cam grooves 52 (second cam grooves 52B) and move toward the tip end along the guide holes 50. The movement of the cam pins 48 causes the push ring 44 to push the base end of the coil 32 toward the tip end, compressing the coil 32. Because the inclination angle θ2 of the second cam grooves 52B is small, the cam pins 48 move a small distance relative to the large amount of movement of the cam ring 42. This configuration allows the coil 32 to be gradually compressed.

[0074] Furthermore, the reaction force from the coil 32 is transmitted to the cam ring 42 via the push ring 44 and the cam pin 48. In this example, the reaction force of the cam ring 42 received from the coil 32 is received by the tip surface 80A of the spacer 80, which is in surface contact with the base end surface 42C of the cam ring 42. Therefore, when the cam ring 42 is rotated, the base end surface 42C of the cam ring 42 slides against the tip surface 80A of the spacer 80 while in surface contact, improving the operability of the cam ring 42 compared to a cam mechanism in which a pin and a surface are in line contact. Furthermore, the reaction force (pressure) from the cam pin 48 is dispersed by the surface contact between the base end surface 42C and the tip surface 80A, thereby reducing wear between the cam ring 42 and the spacer 80.

[0075] It should be noted that the surface contact between cam ring 42 and spacer 80 does not necessarily require complete surface contact between base end surface 42C and tip end surface 80A. A recess may be included in either or both of base end surface 42C and tip end surface 80A. The presence of a recess can prevent localized pressure buildup when base end surface 42C and tip end surface 80A come into contact.

[0076] It is preferable that the spacer 80 is made of a material softer (having a lower Young's modulus) than the cam ring 42. This can improve the durability of the cam ring 42. The cam ring 42 is a machined part that has cam grooves 52, so the cam ring 42 is expensive. By using a soft material for the spacer 80, it is possible to suppress wear of the cam ring 42, which is a costly part. The material for the cam ring 42 is preferably a metal such as SUS (Steel Use Stainless). The material for the spacer 80 is preferably a resin, and more preferably a fluororesin or polyacetal, which have excellent sliding properties. The material for the spacer 80 can also be a metal such as brass, as long as it is softer than the cam ring 42.

[0077] Figure 11 shows the state in which the cam ring 42 has been rotated from the state shown in Figure 10. In this state, the cam ring 42 has been rotated to the maximum extent, and the cam pin 48 is positioned at the most distal end of the cam groove 52. In this state, the coil 32 is most compressed by the cam mechanism 100, and the hardness of the flexible portion 18 is at its greatest. To reduce the hardness of the flexible portion 18, the procedure shown in Figures 11 to 8 can be carried out in reverse to that described above.

[0078] <Explanation of spacer function> The function of the spacer 80 will be described with reference to Figure 12. As explained in the operation of the cam mechanism 100, when adjusting the hardness of the flexible portion 18, the coil 32 is compressed. When the coil 32 is repeatedly compressed by the cam mechanism 100, plastic deformation (sagging) occurs in the coil 32. When sagging occurs in the coil 32, the length of the coil 32 becomes shorter. The amount of compression of the coil 32 decreases by the amount that the length of the coil 32 becomes shorter.

[0079] Therefore, in this example, in consideration of the shortened length of coil 32, in order to move the compression start position of coil 32 toward the tip, spacer 80 is moved toward the tip and the position of surface contact with cam ring 42 is moved toward the tip. Specifically, by changing the engagement position between the groove bottom (groove bottom 82B...92B) of spacer 80 and fixing pin 94, spacer 80 is moved toward the tip in the direction of longitudinal axis A, and the compression start position is moved toward the tip.

[0080] A method for adjusting the compression start position will be described. Here, as an example, a case will be described in which the engagement position of the fixing pin 94 is changed from the groove bottom 82B to the groove bottom 90B. When sagging occurs in the coil 32, first, the fixing pin 94 is removed from the fixed position to release the engagement between the groove bottom 82B of the spacer 80 and the fixing pin 94. Next, the spacer 80 is rotated around the longitudinal axis A to adjust the position of the spacer 80 relative to the fixing pin 94. Next, the fixing pin 94 is fixed at the fixed position, and the fixing pin 94 is engaged with the groove bottom 90B. This completes the change in the engagement position of the fixing pin 94.

[0081] 12, when the engagement position of the fixing pin 94 is changed from the groove bottom 82B to the groove bottom 90B, the tip end surface 80A of the spacer 80 is shifted toward the tip end in the direction of the longitudinal axis A by a length corresponding to the difference in distance between each groove bottom and the tip end surface 80A (i.e., the difference between the distance L1 corresponding to the groove bottom 82B and the distance L5 corresponding to the groove bottom 90B). As a result, the engagement position of the fixing pin 94 is shifted toward the tip end of the cam ring 42, which comes into surface contact with the tip end surface 80A of the spacer 80, compared to before the change, and the compression start position at which compression of the coil 32 begins is also shifted toward the tip end. As a result, even if the coil 32 has worn down, the compressive force on the coil 32 can be increased, and the hardness of the flexible portion 18 can be adjusted to a desired (constant) hardness.

[0082] <Positional relationship between spacer and fixing pin> FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing the positional relationship between the spacer 80 and the fixing pin 94. FIG. 13 shows a state in which the cam mechanism 100 is not compressing the coil 32, and the cam ring 42 is positioned at the distal end. In this example, the groove bottom 86B of the through groove 86A and the fixing pin 94 are positioned so as to be engageable with each other. However, as shown in FIG. 13, when the cam ring 42 is positioned at the distal end, the spacer 80 can move distally along the longitudinal axis A. Even when the spacer 80 is positioned closest to the cam ring 42, the distal position P of the fixing pin 94 is positioned distally of the base end surface 80C of the spacer 80. In other words, at least a portion a of the fixing pin 94 is positioned closer to the groove bottom 86B than the base end surface 80C. By maintaining this positional relationship between the through groove 86A of the spacer 80 and the fixing pin 94, unintended rotation of the spacer 80 can be suppressed. Although the positional relationship between the fixing pin 94 and the groove bottom 86B of the through groove 86A has been described, the same positional relationship is maintained between the fixing pin 94 and all the through grooves (through grooves 82A...92A) of the spacer 80. The base end surface 80C is an example of an opposite end surface of the present invention.

[0083] <Other forms of spacers> Fig. 14 is a diagram illustrating a spacer 140 having another form different in shape from the spacer 80. As shown in Fig. 14, the spacer 140 has a substantially cylindrical shape and has an annular tip surface 140A, an outer peripheral surface 140B around the longitudinal axis A, and a base end surface 140C. The tip surface 140A is an example of a spacer end surface of the present invention.

[0084] A plurality of through holes (through holes 142, 144, 146, 148, and 150) are formed in the outer peripheral surface 140B. These plurality of through holes (through holes 142...150) are arranged at different positions in the circumferential direction. The plurality of through holes (through holes 142...150) are formed in a circular shape and do not have any open portions. The through holes may be formed in an elliptical, oval, or polygonal shape as long as they do not have any open portions.

[0085] With this configuration, distances L1, L2, L3, L4, and L5 from the tip surface 140A to each through hole (through holes 142, 144, 146, 148, and 150) in the direction of the longitudinal axis A are all different. Specifically, the distances L1, L2, L3, L4, and L5 gradually increase in this order, with distance L1 being the shortest and distance L5 being the longest. With this configuration, as described above, the position of the tip surface 140A of the spacer 140 in the direction of the longitudinal axis A can be adjusted, and the multiple through holes (through holes 144, 146, 148, and 150) are examples of through holes of the present invention and constitute pin engagement portions.

[0086] There are two of each of the plurality of through holes (through holes 142...150), and they are arranged symmetrically about the longitudinal axis A.

[0087] The function of the spacer 140 will now be described. Basically, it has the same function as the spacer 80. When the spacer 140 is used, one of the multiple through holes (through holes 142...150) is selected. The fixing pin 94 is inserted into the through hole of the selected spacer 140, and the fixing pin 94 is fixed at a fixed position. The spacer 140 is positioned by the fixing pin 94. One of the through holes (through holes 142...150) and the fixing pin 94 are able to engage with each other. In this example, positioning by the fixing pin 94 restricts the spacer 140 from moving toward the base end and the tip end along the longitudinal axis A and from rotating around the longitudinal axis A.

[0088] As a specific procedure, first, in the initial stage, through-hole 142 having the shortest distance L1 to tip end surface 140A is selected. Tip end surface 140A at this position is set as the compression start position for starting compression of coil 32. As with spacer 80, spacer 140 and cam ring 42 are brought into surface contact, and coil 32 is compressed by cam mechanism 100.

[0089] Next, if sagging occurs in the coil 32, the fixing pin 94 is removed, the spacer 140 is rotated around the longitudinal axis A, and one of the through holes (through holes 144...150) with a distance longer than the distance L1 (distance L2...distance L5) is selected. Basically, the through hole 144 with the distance L2, which is the next longest distance after the distance L1, is selected. The tip surface 140A of the spacer 140 moves toward the tip in the direction of the longitudinal axis A by the difference between the distance L2 and the distance L1. The compression start position for surface contact with the cam ring 42 moves toward the tip. Even if sagging occurs in the coil 32, the compressive force on the coil 32 can be increased, and the hardness of the flexible portion 18 can be adjusted to a desired (constant) hardness.

[0090] Although the endoscope according to this embodiment has been described above, the present invention may be improved or modified in several ways without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. In this example, the cam mechanism 100 and the spacers 80 and 140 are used to adjust the settling in a coil compression method, but the cam mechanism 100 and the spacers 80 and 140 can also be used to adjust the settling in a wire pulling method. [Explanation of symbols]

[0091] 10...Endoscope 12...Hand control unit 14...insertion section 16...Universal cable 18…Soft part 20...Bend 22...Hard tip part 24...Angle knob 26...Air and water supply button 28...Suction button 30...Forceps introduction port 32...Coil 34…Wire 35...Connecting wire 36...Hardness adjusting member 37…Fixed part 38...Operation ring 38A...Key 40...Metal fittings 42...Cam ring 42A…Tip surface 42B…Outer surface 42C…Proximal surface 44...Push ring 44A…Thick part 44B...Storage hole 44C…Groove 46...frame 48...Campin 50...Guide hole 52...Cam groove 52A...First cam groove 52B...Second cam groove 54, 55...Packing ring 60...frame 66...Wire sleeve 70...Ring cover 70A...Keyway 72...bis 80...Spacer 80A…Tip surface 80B…Outer surface 80C…Proximal surface 82A, 84A, 86A, 88A, 90A, 92A...through groove 82B, 84B, 86B, 88B, 90B, 92B...Groove bottom 94...Fixing pin 100...Cam mechanism 140...Spacer 140A...Tip surface 140B…Outer surface 140C…Proximal surface 142, 144, 146, 148, 150...Through holes A...longitudinal axis L1, L2, L3, L4, L5, L6...distance P…Tip side position SP…Gap θ1, θ2…Inclination angle

Claims

1. An operation unit of an endoscope having a hardness adjustment operation mechanism for operating a hardness adjustment member that changes the hardness of an insertion section, the hardness adjustment mechanism includes a cam ring having a cam groove and a movable body having a cam pin that engages with the cam groove, and adjusts the hardness of the hardness adjustment member by moving the movable body in the axial direction of the cam ring in response to rotation of the cam ring; a spacer disposed on one side of the cam ring in the axial direction, the spacer having a spacer end face capable of surface contact with a cam ring end face formed on the one side of the cam ring in the axial direction, the spacer having a plurality of pin engagement portions that are at different distances from the spacer end face in the axial direction; a fixing pin that engages with the pin engaging portion and restricts the position of the spacer in the axial direction; An operation section of an endoscope comprising:

2. the spacer has a cylindrical shape with an outer circumferential surface; the spacer has a plurality of through grooves that are arranged at different positions in the circumferential direction of the outer peripheral surface, that are formed in a slit shape that opens to an opposite end surface opposite to the spacer end surface, and that have different lengths in the axial direction; The operation portion of the endoscope according to claim 1 , wherein the through groove has a groove bottom portion that constitutes the pin engagement portion on the spacer end face side.

3. the spacer is configured to be movable in the axial direction, The operation section of an endoscope according to claim 2, wherein when the spacer is positioned at a position closest to the cam ring, at least a portion of the fixing pin is positioned closer to the groove bottom than the opposite end face.

4. the spacer has a cylindrical shape with an outer circumferential surface; the spacer has a plurality of through holes arranged at different positions in the circumferential direction of the outer circumferential surface and formed in a circular, elliptical, oblong, or polygonal shape; The operation portion of an endoscope according to claim 1 , wherein the through hole constitutes the pin engagement portion.

5. The control section of an endoscope according to claim 1 , wherein the spacer is made of a material softer than the cam ring.

6. The control section of an endoscope according to claim 5 , wherein the spacer is made of resin.

7. an operation ring that receives an operation to rotate the cam ring; a packing ring disposed inside the operation ring and engaging with the operation ring; Equipped with The control section of an endoscope according to claim 1 , wherein a portion of the spacer is located inside the packing ring.

8. The operation section of an endoscope according to claim 1 , wherein the cam pin and the fixing pin are arranged side by side in a direction along the axial direction.

9. An operation unit of an endoscope having a hardness adjustment operation mechanism for operating a hardness adjustment member that changes the hardness of an insertion section, The hardness adjustment mechanism includes a cam ring having a cam groove and a movable body having a cam pin that engages with the cam groove, and adjusts the hardness of the hardness adjustment member by moving the movable body in an axial direction that is the axial direction of the cam ring in response to rotation of the cam ring. a spacer disposed on one side of the cam ring in the axial direction; the spacer has a cylindrical shape with an outer peripheral surface and a spacer end surface formed on the cam ring side, the spacer has a plurality of through grooves that are arranged at different positions in the circumferential direction of the outer peripheral surface, that are formed in a slit shape that opens to an opposite end surface opposite to the spacer end surface, and that have different lengths in the axial direction; a fixing pin that engages with the through groove at a groove bottom portion that is on the spacer end face side and that restricts the position of the spacer in the axial direction; The control section of an endoscope.

10. An operation section of an endoscope according to any one of claims 1 to 9; The insertion portion; Equipped with The hardness adjusting member is configured by a coil and a wire inserted into the insertion portion. Endoscope.

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