Endoscope

Abstract

To provide an endoscope capable of reducing the diameter of a distal end portion while securing conduction between a distal end portion main body and a bending portion.SOLUTION: The endoscope includes: a distal end portion main body 40 to which a connection ring 38 of a bending portion 32 is connected; a connection pipe 76 extending from a base end of the distal end portion main body 40 and communicating with a treatment tool insertion hole 62 of the distal end portion end main body 40; and a tube 100 connected to the connection pipe 76. The tube 100 has a spiral groove 102, a wound portion 106 around which a coil 104 is wound, and a non-wound portion 110 around which the coil 104 is not wound, the distal end portion main body 40 is provided with a protruding portion 140 at the connection portion with the connection ring 38, the non-wound portion 110 of the tube 100 is connected to the connection pipe 76, and when viewed from a direction orthogonal to an axial Ax direction of the connection pipe 76, the position of a distal end 104A of the coil 104 is formed within an imaginary region D obtained by extending a region B of the protruding portion 140 in the axial Ax direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 10

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an endoscope used in the medical field. [Background technology]

[0002] Various types of endoscopes, such as bronchoscopes and ultrasound endoscopes, are used in the medical field. An endoscope includes an operating section operated by an operator and an insertion section connected to the operating section and inserted into a subject.

[0003] In such endoscopes, various treatment tools are introduced through a treatment tool inlet provided in the operation section, and then the treatment tools are used for treatment by leading them out to the outside through a treatment tool outlet opening at the tip of the insertion section. Furthermore, inside the insertion section of the endoscope, multiple built-in components are inserted and arranged, such as a treatment tool insertion tube (also called a channel) through which the treatment tool is inserted, a signal cable connected to the imaging element, and a light guide that supplies illumination light.

[0004] Patent Document 1 discloses an endoscope having a treatment tool insertion tube that is connected via a mouthpiece to a treatment tool outlet passage provided in a rigid tip portion.

[0005] Patent Document 2 discloses an endoscope having a hard wire wound in a spiral groove provided on the outer periphery and having a treatment tool insertion channel connected to the tip component via a tube connecting fitting.

[0006] Patent Document 3 discloses an endoscope having a forceps insertion tube that covers the entire cylindrical inner peripheral surface of the distal end body.

[0007] Patent Document 4 discloses an endoscope having a channel tube for inserting forceps, which is connected by threading a female thread into a male thread on a protrusion of a tip configuration part. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0008] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-229067 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 05-9503 [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-237557 [Patent Document 4] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 05-49593 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0009] There is a demand for the tip of the insertion part of an endoscope to be as thin (small) as possible in consideration of ease of insertion. To achieve a thin tip and ensure sufficient strength, it is effective to construct the tip body from metal.

[0010] However, if the tip body is made of metal, it is necessary to ensure electrical continuity between the tip body and the curved portion connected to the base end of the tip body in order to ensure electrical continuity between the tip body and the metal member on the base end side of the tip body, and depending on the electrical continuity configuration, it may be difficult to reduce the diameter of the tip.

[0011] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and aims to provide an endoscope that can reduce the diameter of the tip while ensuring electrical continuity between the tip body and the bending section. [Means for solving the problem]

[0012] An endoscope according to a first aspect of the present invention comprises a bending section having a connection ring on the tip side, a tip main body having a treatment instrument insertion hole and to which the connection ring is connected, a connection pipe extending from the base end of the tip main body and communicating with the treatment instrument insertion hole, and a tube connected to the connection pipe, wherein the tube has a spiral groove formed on at least a part of the outer surface of the tube, a wound section in which a coil is wound around the groove, and a non-wound section in which the coil is not wound, the tip main body has a protrusion at a part of the connection part with the connection ring, and the non-wound section of the tube is connected to the connection pipe, and when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the connection pipe, the position of the tip of the coil in the wound section is formed within an imaginary area formed by extending the area of ​​the protrusion in the axial direction.

[0013] The endoscope according to a second aspect of the present invention is the endoscope of the first aspect, wherein the distal end of the coil is arranged at a position where it abuts against the proximal end of the connection pipe.

[0014] According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the endoscope of the first or second aspect, the outer periphery of the protruding portion is arc-shaped.

[0015] According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the endoscope of any one of the first to third aspects, the protruding portion is provided at its base end with a tapered guide surface that can guide the connection of the connection ring to the tip portion main body.

[0016] An endoscope according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is any of the first to fourth aspects, and is provided with an adhesive layer applied to a position including the tip of the coil, and the adhesive layer is formed within the virtual area.

[0017] In the endoscope according to the sixth aspect of the present invention, in any of the first to fifth aspects, the tip body has a flange portion against which the tip of the connection ring abuts and a flat portion provided on the tip side of the flange portion, and the protrusion portion is provided on the base end side of the flange portion at the position where the flat portion is formed.

[0018] According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the endoscope of the fifth aspect, the adhesive layer directly faces the inner circumferential surface of the bending portion.

[0019] An endoscope according to an eighth aspect of the present invention is the endoscope of any one of the first to seventh aspects, wherein the tube has a non-grooved portion in which no groove is formed in at least a part of the non-coiled portion.

[0020] According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the endoscope of any one of the first to seventh aspects, the tube has an adhesive application groove portion for filling the groove of the non-wound portion with adhesive. [Effects of the Invention]

[0021] According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the diameter of the tip portion while ensuring electrical continuity between the tip portion main body and the bending portion. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0022] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an overall view of the endoscope of this embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the tip body. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the tip portion of FIG. 2 with the angle rubber removed. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the tip portion with the cap removed from the tip portion body, as viewed from the tip side of the insertion section. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the distal end portion of FIG. 4 as viewed from the proximal end side of the insertion portion. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is an enlarged perspective view of the main part of the distal end body as seen from the proximal end side of the insertion section. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the distal end body as viewed from the proximal end side of the insertion section. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a side view of the tube. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is an assembly diagram of the tube shown in FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a side view of the tip body as viewed from a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the connection pipe. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing the arrangement of various members when the distal end main body is viewed from the base end side. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of the first modified example. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of the second modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0023] An endoscope according to an embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0024] [Overall configuration of endoscope 1] Fig. 1 is an overall view of an endoscope 1 of this embodiment. The endoscope 1 shown in Fig. 1 is, for example, a bronchoscope, and is used for observing observation sites such as the trachea, bronchi, and lungs, and for collecting cell tissue.

[0025] Due to their intended use, bronchoscopes are required to have smaller diameters than gastrointestinal endoscopes. For example, even those equipped with a treatment instrument insertion tube 80 (see FIG. 8) have a tip 34 with an outer diameter of 4 mm to 6 mm and a flexible section 30 with an outer diameter of 4 mm to 7 mm.

[0026] The endoscope 1 includes an operation section 10 that is held by a practitioner to perform various operations, an insertion section 12 that is inserted into a body cavity of a subject, and a universal cord 14. The endoscope 1 is connected via the universal cord 14 to a system configuration device that includes a processor device and a light source device (not shown).

[0027] The operation unit 10 is provided with various operation members that are operated by the practitioner, such as an angle lever 16 and a suction button 22.

[0028] The operation section 10 is also provided with a treatment tool introduction section 26. The treatment tool introduction section 26 is provided with a treatment tool introduction port 28, and a treatment tool (not shown) is inserted from the treatment tool introduction port 28 into a treatment tool insertion tube 80 (see FIG. 8) inside the insertion section 12.

[0029] The insertion section 12 has a base end connected to the tip end of the operation section 10, and is configured to be thin and long overall. The insertion section 12 is configured, in order from the base end side to the tip end side of the insertion section 12, with a flexible section 30, a passive bending section 31, a bending section 32, and a tip section 34. The passive bending section 31 is an optional configuration and may not be provided.

[0030] The flexible section 30 occupies the majority of the proximal end of the insertion section 12 and is made up of, for example, a metal spiral tube (a spirally wound metal plate) and a net (not shown), the outer periphery of which is further covered with a resin tube. The flexible section 30 has flexibility that allows it to bend in any direction, and when the insertion section 12 is inserted into a body cavity, it bends along the insertion path into the body cavity.

[0031] The passive bending section 31 is made up of, for example, a metal spiral tube (a metal plate wound in a spiral shape) and net (not shown), and is further configured by covering the outer periphery of these together with the bending section 32 (described below) with a resin angle rubber 36 (see FIG. 2). This passive bending section 31 is configured to be more flexible than the flexible section 30 so that it can bend passively in response to an external force, and when the insertion section 12 is inserted into a body cavity, it bends along the insertion path into the body cavity, just like the flexible section 30.

[0032] The bending section 32 is configured by connecting, for example, a plurality of bending pieces (not shown), and is an active bending section that can be actively bent in the vertical direction (A2 direction) by rotating the angle lever 16 of the operation section 10 in the A1 direction. By bending this bending section 32, the distal end portion 34 can be directed in a desired direction. The bending section 32 is an example of a bending section of the present invention.

[0033] <Tip 34> Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the tip portion 34 including a part of the curved portion 32. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the tip portion 34 in a state where the angle rubber 36 shown in Fig. 2 has been removed.

[0034] 2 and 3, the tip section 34 has a tip section body 40, which is an example of the tip section body of the present invention, and a cap 42 attached to the tip surface of the tip section body 40. The tip section body 40 is made of metal to reduce the diameter of the tip section 34. The cap 42 is made of resin or the like.

[0035] 2 extends to the base end side of the cap 42 to cover the tip portion main body 40, and the tip portion of the angle rubber 36 is wound around a thread (not shown) and fixed to the tip portion main body 40. The thread is fixed to the angle rubber 36 with an adhesive (not shown).

[0036] Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the tip portion 34 with the cap 42 removed from the tip portion main body 40, as viewed from the tip side of the insertion section 12. Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the tip portion 34 of Fig. 4, as viewed from the base end side of the insertion section 12.

[0037] 4 and 5 also show a metal connecting ring 38 connected to the distal end portion body 40. This connecting ring 38 is an example of the connecting ring of the present invention, and is provided on the distal end side of the bending portion 32. In other words, the bending portion 32 has the connecting ring 38 on its distal end side.

[0038] 4 and 5, the cap 42 is provided with an opening 44 for an observation window, a pair of openings 46 for illumination windows, and a treatment tool outlet 48. The opening 44, the pair of openings 46, and the treatment tool outlet 48 are each provided as through-holes in a disk-shaped front surface portion 50 of the cap 42. The treatment tool outlet 48 occupies the largest area of ​​the front surface portion 50, and the opening 44 is located below the treatment tool outlet 48 in the figure, with the opening 44 being located on either side of the opening 44.

[0039] 4, an observation optical system including a lens barrel 54 holding an observation window (lens or protective glass) 52, and an imaging unit including an imaging element (not shown) are provided at a position of the tip body 40 facing the opening 44. When the cap 42 is attached to the tip body 40, the observation window 52 is exposed from the opening 44.

[0040] The imaging unit is connected to a processor device (described later) via a signal cable 56 (see FIG. 6). The imaging unit captures an image of the observation site through an observation optical system and outputs a signal of the observation image to the processor device.

[0041] Figure 6 is an enlarged perspective view of the main part of the tip portion main body 40 as viewed from the base end side of the insertion section 12. Figure 6 shows a signal cable 56, a light guide 58, and the like that are inserted inside the insertion section 12.

[0042] Returning to FIG. 4, illumination windows 60 of a light guide 58 (see FIG. 6) are arranged at positions of the tip body 40 facing the pair of openings 46. When the cap 42 is attached to the tip body 40, the illumination windows 60 are exposed from the pair of openings 46. The light guide 58 is connected to a light source device and supplies illumination light from the light source device to the illumination windows 60.

[0043] A treatment instrument insertion hole 62 is arranged in the distal end body 40 at a position opposite the treatment instrument outlet 48. When the cap 42 is attached to the distal end body 40, the treatment instrument insertion hole 62 communicates with the treatment instrument outlet 48. As a result, a treatment instrument inserted into the treatment instrument insertion tube 80 (see FIG. 8) from the treatment instrument inlet 28 is led out from the treatment instrument outlet 48 to the outside via the treatment instrument insertion hole 62. The treatment instrument insertion hole 62 is an example of a treatment instrument insertion hole of the present invention.

[0044] 1, the universal cord 14 includes the above-mentioned signal cable 56 (see FIG. 6) and light guide 58. A connector is provided at an end (not shown) of the universal cord 14, and the connector is connected to a system configuration device including a processor device, a light source device, etc.

[0045] As a result, the system component device supplies the endoscope 1 with power, control signals, illumination light, and the like required for operating the endoscope 1. Furthermore, a signal of an observation image acquired by the observation optical system is transmitted from the endoscope 1 to the system component device (processor device). The signal transmitted to the system component device is subjected to image processing, and an observation image of the observation site is displayed on a monitor (not shown). Furthermore, illumination light is supplied from the system component device (light source device) to the light guide 58, and the illumination light is irradiated onto the observation site from a pair of illumination windows 60.

[0046] <Tip body 40> FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the distal end body 40 as viewed from the proximal end side of the insertion section 12. As shown in FIG.

[0047] As shown in Figure 7, the tip portion body 40 has a generally cylindrical shape overall, and a flange portion 70 is formed on the outer periphery of the tip portion 40, protruding radially outward along the entire circumference. The tip portion 38A (see Figure 3) of the connecting ring 38 abuts against this flange portion 70, thereby connecting the connecting ring 38 to the tip portion body 40. The flange portion 70 is an example of the flange portion of the present invention.

[0048] A cap mounting portion 72 to which the cap 42 is attached is provided on the tip side of the flange portion 70, and a ring connecting portion 74 to which the connecting ring 38 is connected is provided on the base end side of the flange portion 70. The cap mounting portion 72 and the ring connecting portion 74 are configured to have smaller outer diameters (diameters) than the flange portion 70.

[0049] A connecting pipe 76 extends from the base end of the tip portion main body 40. As shown in Fig. 6, this connecting pipe 76 is in communication with the treatment tool insertion hole 62. The connecting pipe 76 may be configured integrally with the tip portion main body 40, or may be configured separately from the tip portion main body 40 and attached to the tip portion main body 40 later. The connecting pipe 76 is one example of the connecting pipe of the present invention.

[0050] <Treatment tool insertion tube 80> Fig. 8 is a side view of the main part of a treatment tool insertion tube 80 (hereinafter abbreviated as "tube 80") connected to the connection pipe 76. Fig. 9 is an assembly drawing of the tube 80 shown in Fig. 8. The tube 80 is an example of the tube of the present invention.

[0051] 8 and 9, the tube 80 has a proximal tube 90, a distal tube 100, and a pipe 120 that connects the distal end of the tube 90 to the proximal end of the tube 100. The proximal end of the tube 90 is connected to the treatment tool introduction port 28, and the distal end of the tube 100 is connected to the connecting pipe 76. It is abbreviated.

[0052] Since the tube 90 and the tube 100 have the same basic configuration, the tube 100 will be described here, and the tube 90 will be assigned the same reference numeral as the tube 100 and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0053] The tube 100 has a spiral groove 102 formed on the outer surface of the tube 100, a wound portion 106 in which a coil 104 is wound around the groove 102, and non-wound portions 108, 110 in which the coil 104 is not wound. The non-wound portion 108 and the non-wound portion 110 are respectively disposed at the proximal end and distal end of the tube 100. The tube 100 is, for example, a PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) tube. The groove 102, the coil 104, the wound portion 106, and the non-wound portions 108, 110 are examples of the groove, coil, wound portion, and non-wound portion of the present invention, respectively.

[0054] The pipe 120 has a flange portion 122 formed in the axial center of the pipe 120, and a connection portion 124 for the tube 90 and a connection portion 126 for the tube 100 are provided on the proximal and distal ends of this flange portion 122, respectively. Since the connection portions 124 and 126 have the same shape, only the connection portion 126 connected to the tube 100 will be described here, and the description of the connection portion 124 will be omitted by assigning it the same reference numeral as the connection portion 126.

[0055] The connecting portion 126 has a first pipe 128 connected to the flange portion 122, and a second pipe 130 connected to the first pipe 128. When the outer diameters of the flange portion 122, the first pipe 128, and the second pipe 130 are D1, D2, and D3 (not shown), respectively, the relationship between D1, D2, and D3 is D1>D2>D3.

[0056] The first tube 128 and the second tube 130 are portions to which the base end of the tube 100 is connected. That is, the base end of the tube 100 is sheathed from the second tube 130 toward the flange portion 122, and the base end surface 100A of the tube 100 is abutted against the flange portion 122, thereby connecting the base end of the tube 100 to the connecting portion 126. Thereafter, the base end of the tube 100 is fixed to the flange portion 122 with an adhesive (not shown).

[0057] Specifically, the base end of tube 100 has a base-side wound portion 112 located on the base end side of wound portion 106, and a non-wound portion 108 connected to base-side wound portion 112. Non-wound portion 108 is fitted around first tube 128, and base-side wound portion 112 is fitted around second tube 130. Note that non-wound portion 108 is configured as a non-grooved portion that does not have groove 102, while non-wound portion 110 is configured as a grooved portion that has groove 102. An adhesive application groove portion, described below, may be provided to make non-wound portion 108 a non-grooved portion.

[0058] As described above, the tube 100 of this example does not have grooves 102 formed over the entire outer surface of the tube 100, but has grooves 102 formed in at least a partial area of ​​the outer surface (area of ​​the tube 100 excluding the non-coiled portion 108). By exteriorizing the thick-walled non-coiled portion 108 without grooves 102 on the first pipe 128, the base end of the tube 100 can be firmly fixed to the pipe 120.

[0059] <Connection structure between tube 100 and connection pipe 76> Fig. 10 is a side view of the tip body 40 when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the axis Ax of the connection pipe 76. Fig. 10 shows the connection structure between the tube 100 and the connection pipe 76.

[0060] As shown in FIG. 10, the tube 100 and the connecting pipe 76 are connected by fitting the non-wound portion (groove-formed portion) 110 at the tip of the tube 100 onto the connecting pipe 76 .

[0061] In this way, by connecting the non-wound portion 110 to the connecting pipe 76, the outer diameter (diameter) of the connection portion between the tube 100 and the connecting pipe 76 can be made thinner by the amount of protrusion of the coil 104 that protrudes radially outward from the groove 102, compared to a configuration in which the wound portion 106 around which the coil 104 is wound is connected to the connecting pipe 76.

[0062] Furthermore, when the tube 100 is connected to the connecting pipe 76, the tip 104A of the coil 104 is positioned so as to abut against the base end 76A of the connecting pipe 76. With this configuration, at least the curved portion (wound portion 106) of the tube 100 that is curved by the bending action of the bending portion 32 is protected by the coil 104, thereby preventing buckling of the curved portion.

[0063] Here, because the tube 100 is wrapped around and connected to the connecting pipe 76, the tip 104A of the coil 104 is not positioned so as to directly abut against the base end 76A of the connecting pipe 76. However, for example, when an assembly worker wraps the tip portion (non-wound portion 110) of the tube 100 around the connecting pipe 76, the worker can sense that the tip 104A of the coil 104 has abutted against the base end 76A of the connecting pipe 76. This makes it possible to position the tip 104A of the coil 104 in a position where it abuts against the base end 76A of the connecting pipe 76.

[0064] Furthermore, tip 104A of coil 104 is fixed to tube 100 by adhesive 131. Adhesive 131 is applied to a position including tip 104A of coil 104. Furthermore, adhesive 131 is formed as a thick adhesive layer 132 on the outer peripheral surface of tube 100, radially outward of tube 100. Note that adhesive 131 and adhesive layer 132 are examples of the adhesive and adhesive layer of the present invention.

[0065] In this way, by fixing the tip 104A of the coil 104 to the tube 100 with the adhesive 131, it is possible to prevent the tip 104A of the coil 104 from peeling (rolling up) from the outer circumferential surface of the tube 100. In addition, the adhesive 131 is formed as a thick adhesive layer 132 on the radially outer side of the tube 100, which increases the adhesive strength between the tip 104A of the coil 104 and the tube 100.

[0066] Figure 11 is a schematic diagram showing the arrangement of various components when the distal end body 40 is viewed from the proximal end side. Figure 11 shows the connection ring 38, the distal end body 40 (ring connection portion 74), and the connection pipe 76. Also, in Figure 11, the signal cable 56 and the light guide 58 are shown by solid lines, and the angle wire 82 and the angle pin 84 are shown by two-dot chain lines (phantom lines).

[0067] As shown in FIG. 11, the space between the connection ring 38 and the connection pipe 76 is used as an arrangement space for the signal cable 56, the light guide 58, the angle wire 82, and the angle pin 84, but this arrangement space has become very narrow due to the narrowing of the diameter of the tip portion 34.

[0068] In the tip section 34 configured as described above, the central axis C2 of the connecting pipe 76 is positioned offset to the left in Fig. 11 with respect to the central axis C1 of the tip section main body 40. This offset position results in the largest spatial expansion, and in this space 134 to the right of the connecting pipe 76 in Fig. 11, the signal cable 56, the pair of light guides 58, and other built-in components are placed therein.

[0069] 11, the tip 104A of the coil 104 and the adhesive layer 132 are arranged in a space 136 above the connecting pipe 76 in Fig. 11, which is expanded spatially by the offset arrangement described above. This space 136 is a space in which the two angle wires 82 are arranged, but because it is expanded by a protrusion 140 (described below) provided on the tip portion main body 40, it is effectively used as a space in which to arrange the thick adhesive layer 132.

[0070] The protrusion 140 will be described below with reference to FIG.

[0071] <Protruding part 140> As shown in Figure 7, the tip portion body 40 has a protrusion 140 at a part of the connection portion with the connection ring 38. This protrusion 140 is provided so as to protrude radially outward from a part of the outer circumferential surface of the ring connection portion 74 of the tip portion body 40. The outer periphery of the protrusion 140 is configured in an arc shape. The protrusion 140 is one example of a protrusion of the present invention.

[0072] The electrical connection structure between the distal end portion body 40 and the connection ring 38 and the diameter-reduced structure of the distal end portion 34 will be described below with reference to FIG.

[0073] <Conducting structure> As shown in Figure 11, the connection ring 38 is fitted onto the ring connecting portion 74 of the tip portion main body 40 and connected to it. In this case, as the connection ring 38 is fitted onto the ring connecting portion 74, an arc-shaped portion 38B (see Figure 11) of the connection ring 38 fitted onto the protrusion 140 is pressed by the protrusion 140 and elastically deforms radially outward into an arc-shaped shape. Then, the elastically deformed arc-shaped portion 38B comes into close contact with the arc-shaped outer peripheral surface of the protrusion 140 due to its elastic restoring force. This ensures electrical continuity between the tip portion main body 40 and the connection ring 38.

[0074] <Thinning structure> In order to reduce the diameter of tip portion 34, the position of tip 104A of coil 104 in the circumferential direction of tube 100 is important. That is, since adhesive layer 132 coated with adhesive 131 is formed in a position including tip 104A, the position of adhesive layer 132 in the circumferential direction of tube 100 can lead to an increase in the diameter of tip portion 34.

[0075] For example, if the position of the tip 104A of the coil 104 in the circumferential direction of the tube 100 is to be positioned in the space 134 in Figure 11, since the space 134 already contains built-in components such as the signal cable 56 and a pair of light guides 58, the space 134 must be further expanded by the size of the adhesive layer 132, which results in the tip portion 34 becoming larger in diameter.

[0076] Therefore, in this example, in order to reduce the diameter of the tip portion 34, a protrusion 140 is provided on a part of the ring connecting portion 74 of the tip portion main body 40. By arranging the tip 104A of the coil 104 in the space 136 expanded by this protrusion 140, the diameter of the tip portion 34 is prevented from becoming large, and the diameter of the tip portion 34 is reduced.

[0077] That is, the endoscope 1 of this embodiment has the following configuration in order to ensure electrical continuity between the tip body 40 and the connection ring 38 while enabling the diameter of the tip 34 to be reduced.

[0078] That is, as shown in FIG. 10, when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the axial direction Ax of the connecting pipe 76, the position of the tip 104A of the coil 104 in the winding portion 106 is formed within a virtual region D obtained by extending the region B of the protruding portion 140 in the axial direction A.

[0079] By adopting this configuration, electrical continuity between the tip portion main body 40 and the connection ring 38 can be ensured, and the tip 104A of the coil 104 can be effectively positioned in the space 136 expanded by the protrusion 140. Therefore, according to the endoscope 1 of this embodiment, electrical continuity between the tip portion main body 40 and the bending section 32 can be ensured while achieving a reduced diameter.

[0080] Similarly to the tip 104A, the adhesive layer 132 is also formed within the virtual region D. This allows the adhesive layer 132 to be effectively disposed in the space 136 expanded by the protrusion 140.

[0081] Furthermore, a tapered surface 142 is provided at the base end of the protrusion 140 (see FIG. 7). This tapered surface 142 is an example of the guiding tapered surface of the present invention, and is provided as a guiding tapered surface that guides the connection of the connection ring 38 to the tip portion main body 40. As a result, during assembly, the connection ring 38 is guided by the tapered surface 142 and is smoothly connected to the tip portion main body 40 (ring connection portion 74).

[0082] A tapered surface 144 is also provided at the base end of the ring connecting portion 74. This tapered surface 144 is provided integrally with the tapered surface 142. By providing such a tapered surface 142, the connection ring 38 can be smoothly connected to the tip portion main body 40.

[0083] Furthermore, no other components are disposed between the adhesive layer 132 and the connection ring 38, and the adhesive layer 132 directly faces the inner peripheral surface of the connection ring 38 of the bending portion 32 (see FIG. 11). This makes it possible to limit the expansion of the space 136 caused by the protrusion 140 to an expansion amount sufficient to effectively dispose only the adhesive layer 132. This makes it possible to prevent the diameter of the tip portion 34 from increasing due to the disposition of the protrusion 140.

[0084] 4 and 5, the tip portion main body 40 has a flat portion 78 provided on the tip side of the flange portion 70. The flat portion 78 is an example of the flat portion of the present invention, and is provided on part of the outer circumferential surface of the cap attachment portion 72. The protrusion 140 is provided on the base end side of the flange portion 70 at the position where the flat portion 78 is formed.

[0085] 4, flat portions 78 are provided at two locations in the circumferential direction of cap attachment portion 72. Flat portions 78 are formed as D-cut surfaces on the outer peripheral surface of cap attachment portion 72. Furthermore, flat portions 78 are formed at positions on the outer peripheral surface of cap attachment portion 72 that avoid the arrangement area (area through which the built-in object is inserted) where lens 52 and output end 60 are arranged.

[0086] The flat portions 78 are abutted against the connecting pieces 51 extending from the front surface 50 of the cap 42 toward the base end. The tip portion body 40 and the cap 42 are connected by fitting a pin 53 inserted from a through hole 51A of the connecting piece 51 into a fixing hole 78A of the flat portion 78.

[0087] The connecting piece portion 51 has a D-shaped cross section in a direction perpendicular to the extension direction, and when the connecting piece portion 51 abuts against the flat portion 78, the outer peripheral surface of the connecting piece portion 51 forms part of the outer peripheral surface of the cap attachment portion 72. This makes it possible to prevent the cap attachment portion 72 from becoming larger in diameter.

[0088] Below, several modified examples (first and second modified examples) will be explained.

[0089] <First Modification> FIG. 12 is a side view of the tip body 40 when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the axis Ax of the connection pipe 76.

[0090] The difference in configuration between the first modified example shown in Fig. 12 and the embodiment shown in Fig. 10 is that in the embodiment shown in Fig. 10, a non-wound portion 110 having a groove 102 formed therein is connected to the connecting pipe 76, whereas in the first modified example shown in Fig. 12, a non-wound portion 114 having no groove 102 formed therein is connected to the connecting pipe 76. The other configurations are the same.

[0091] As shown in the first modified example in Figure 12, the non-coiled portion 114, in which the groove 102 is not formed, is thicker than the non-coiled portion 110 in which the groove 102 is formed, so that the connection strength of the tube 100 to the connecting pipe 76 can be increased compared to the embodiment in which the non-coiled portion 110 is connected to the connecting pipe 76.

[0092] <Second Modification> FIG. 13 is a side view of the tip body 40 when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the axis Ax of the connection pipe 76.

[0093] The difference between the configuration of the second modified example shown in Fig. 13 and the configuration of the embodiment shown in Fig. 10 is that, in the embodiment shown in Fig. 10, the non-coiled portion 110 having the groove 102 formed therein is simply connected to the connecting pipe 76, whereas in the second modified example shown in Fig. 13, the non-coiled portion 110 having the groove 102 formed therein is connected to the connecting pipe 76, and then the groove 102 of the non-coiled portion 110 is filled with adhesive 150. In other words, the tube 100 in the second modified example has an adhesive-applied groove portion 152 in which the groove 102 of the non-coiled portion 110 is filled with adhesive 150. The other configurations are the same.

[0094] As in the second modified example shown in Figure 13, the adhesive-applied groove portion 152 in which the groove 102 of the non-wound portion 110 is filled with adhesive 150 is stronger than the non-wound portion 110 in which the groove 102 is simply formed, and therefore, as in the first modified example, the connection strength of the tube 100 to the connecting pipe 76 can be increased.

[0095] In the above embodiment, the preferred position of the tip 104A of the coil 104 is defined by the position when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the axial Ax direction of the connecting pipe 76, but this is not limited to this. For example, as described below, it can also be defined by the position when viewed from the axial Ax direction of the connecting pipe 76 or the position in the circumferential direction of the connecting pipe 76.

[0096] That is, when viewed from the direction of the axis Ax of the connecting pipe 76, it can be said that the position of the tip 104A of the coil 104 is preferably formed within the imaginary region D. It can also be said that, in terms of the circumferential position of the connecting pipe 76, the position of the tip 104A of the coil 104 is preferably formed at a position equivalent to the region B of the protruding portion 140. Note that the above-mentioned equivalent position includes a range that is recognized as a substantially equivalent position.

[0097] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the tube 80 for inserting a treatment tool has been described as an example of the tube of the present invention, but the present invention can be applied to various tubes (channels) inserted into the insertion portion 12.

[0098] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, a bronchoscope, which is particularly required to have a small diameter, has been used as an example of the endoscope of the present invention, but the present invention can also be applied to various endoscopes in which an endoscopic tube is inserted into various insertion sections, such as ultrasonic endoscopes and gastrointestinal endoscopes.

[0099] Although the endoscope according to the present 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]

[0100] 1. Endoscope 10 Control section 12 Insertion section 14 Universal Code 16 Angle lever 22 Suction button 26 Treatment tool introduction section 28 Treatment tool introduction port 30 Soft part 31 Passive bending section 32 Curved section 34 Tip 36 Angle rubber 38 Connecting Ring 38A tip 38B Arc-shaped part 40 Tip body 42 Cap 44 Aperture 46 Aperture 48 Treatment tool outlet 50 Front part 51 Connection piece 51A through hole 52 Observation window 54 Telescope tube 56 Signal cable 58 Light Guide 60 Lighting window 62 Treatment tool insertion hole 70 Flange 72 Cap attachment part 74 Ring connection 76 Connecting Pipe 76A proximal end 78 Flat area 78A fixing hole 80 Treatment tool insertion tube 82 Angle wire 84 Angle Pin 90 tubes 100 tubes 100A proximal surface 102 Groove 104 Coil 104A Tip 106 Winding section 108 Non-wound part 110 Non-wound part 112 Base end winding part 114 Non-wound part 120 Pipe 122 flange 124 Connection 126 Connection 128 1st pipe 130 2nd pipe 131 Adhesive 132 Adhesive layer 134 spaces 136 spaces 140 Protrusion 142 Tapered surface 144 Tapered surface 150 adhesive 152 Adhesive application groove

Claims

1. a bending portion having a connection ring on the distal end side; a distal end portion main body having a treatment tool insertion hole and to which the connection ring is connected; a connecting pipe extending from a base end of the distal end body and communicating with the treatment tool insertion hole; a tube connected to the connecting pipe; Equipped with The tube has a spiral groove formed on at least a part of an outer surface of the tube, a wound portion in which a coil is wound around the groove, and a non-wound portion in which the coil is not wound, The tip portion body has a protrusion at a part of a connecting portion with the connecting ring, the non-wound portion of the tube is connected to the connecting pipe; when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the connection pipe, the position of the tip of the coil in the winding portion is formed within an imaginary area obtained by extending the area of ​​the protruding portion in the axial direction. Endoscope.

2. The tip of the coil is disposed at a position where it abuts against the base end of the connecting pipe. The endoscope according to claim 1 .

3. The outer periphery of the protrusion is arc-shaped. The endoscope according to claim 1 .

4. a proximal end of the protrusion is provided with a guide tapered surface capable of guiding the connection of the connection ring to the distal end body; The endoscope according to claim 3 .

5. an adhesive layer coated with adhesive at a position including the tip of the coil; The adhesive layer is formed within the virtual area. The endoscope according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. The tip body includes: a flange portion against which the tip of the connection ring abuts; a flat portion provided on a tip side of the flange portion; and The protruding portion is provided on the base end side of the flange portion at a position where the flat portion is formed. The endoscope according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

7. The adhesive layer directly faces the inner circumferential surface of the curved portion. The endoscope according to claim 5.

8. The tube has a non-grooved portion in which the groove is not formed in at least a part of the non-wound portion. The endoscope according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

9. The tube has an adhesive application groove portion in which the groove of the non-wound portion is filled with adhesive. The endoscope according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

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