Deflection operation device for medical instrument

Abstract

To provide a deflection operation device for a medical instrument that has a simple configuration and is capable of maintaining the deflection direction of a movable part of the medical instrument.SOLUTION: A deflection operation device 100 for a medical instrument comprises a controller housing 200 forming a casing, a first rack member 500, a second rack member 600, a pinion member 700, a rotational operation member 800, and a power transmission mechanism including the rotational operation member 800 and a threaded coupling member 550. A first threaded groove (spiral groove 810) is formed on an inner circumferential surface of the rotational operation member 800. When the rotational operation member 800 is rotated, the first threaded groove (spiral groove 810) is threadedly engaged with a second threaded groove (spiral groove 560) of the threaded coupling member 550, thereby displacing the first rack member 500 and the second rack member 600 in a longitudinal direction and causing a first operation wire W1 or a second operation wire W2 to be displaced in the deflection operation direction of the movable part 20.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 14

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a deflection device for a medical instrument, which is used to deflect a movable portion of a flexible, long, tubular medical instrument. [Background technology]

[0002] Long, flexible tubular medical devices such as catheters and endoscopes are inserted into the tissues of various organs (e.g., the heart) inside the body through blood vessels, trachea, or body cavities, internal luminal parts, etc., to perform the desired medical treatment. In order to facilitate insertion into the body and access to tissues, it is known that such medical devices can be deflected at the distal end by a medical device deflection device that is connected to the proximal end of the medical device and placed outside the body.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 listed below describes a deflection control device for a medical device that includes a first rack member and a second rack member housed within a controller housing so as to be reciprocally displaceable in the longitudinal direction along the extension direction of first and second control wires and so as to have teeth that face each other, and a pinion member rotatably supported in a state in which it meshes with the teeth of each rack member, and in which first and second control knobs that protrude outward from the controller housing are integrally provided on each rack member. In the deflection control device for a medical device described in Patent Document 1, the first rack member and the second rack member can be reciprocally displaced in opposite directions by operating the control knob provided on at least one of these rack members, thereby deflecting a movable part of the medical device. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2021 / 117724 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] When the movable part of a medical device is set to a desired deflection direction, there are cases where it is desired to maintain this deflection direction even after the user releases the operation knob. However, with the medical device deflection operation device described in Patent Document 1, when the user releases the operation knob, the movable part extends straight and returns to a neutral position where it is not deflected due to the tension of the operation wire or a biasing means (coil spring) arranged inside the medical device deflection operation device, which creates a problem in that the deflection direction cannot be maintained.

[0006] In addition, the deflection operating device for medical equipment described in Patent Document 1 is configured to deflect the movable part of the medical equipment by operating the operating knob along the longitudinal direction, but depending on the user, an operating means of a different form than the operating knob may be preferable.

[0007] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above problems, and aims to provide a deflection operating device for a medical device having a simple configuration that is capable of maintaining the deflection direction of a movable part of the medical device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to achieve the above object, the deflection operation device for a medical device according to the present invention is a deflection operation device for a medical device that deflects and operates a movable part of a medical device via a first operation wire and a second operation wire, a controller housing that forms a housing, the controller housing having a wire insertion portion inside the housing, the wire insertion portion being provided on a distal end side in a longitudinal direction along an extension direction of the first operation wire and the second operation wire, and through which the first operation wire and the second operation wire are inserted; a first rack member and a second rack member housed inside the controller housing so as to be reciprocally displaceable in the longitudinal direction and have teeth portions facing each other; a pinion member disposed between the first rack member and the second rack member, and rotatably supported on the controller housing in a state of meshing with the teeth of both rack members; a rotation operation member having a rotation axis in the longitudinal direction and rotatably supported with respect to the controller housing; a power transmission mechanism that converts a rotational force generated by rotation of the rotation operation member into a translational movement force that displaces either the first rack member or the second rack member in the longitudinal direction, When the rotation operation member is rotated, the power transmission mechanism converts the rotational force of the rotation operation member into the translational movement force to displace either the first rack member or the second rack member in the longitudinal direction, and while the first rack member and the second rack member are displaced in opposite directions relative to the pinion member, the first operation wire and the second operation wire are displaced in the deflection operation direction of the movable part.

[0009] According to the above configuration, the user can rotate the rotation operating member to displace the first rack member and the second rack member in the longitudinal direction, thereby deflecting the movable part of the medical device. The user can adjust the amount of displacement of the first rack member and the second rack member by appropriately changing the amount of rotation of the rotation operating member, thereby deflecting the movable part by a desired deflection angle in a desired deflection direction. Furthermore, the user can easily adjust the operational feel by appropriately setting the amount of deflection of the movable part relative to the amount of rotation of the rotation operating member.

[0010] Furthermore, since the power transmission mechanism is configured to convert the rotational force generated by the rotation of the rotation operation member into a translational force that displaces either the first rack member or the second rack member in the longitudinal direction, the rotation operation member does not rotate even when tension is generated in the operation wire, and the rotation operation member does not rotate even when tension of the operation wire is applied to the first rack member or the second rack member. As a result, even if the user releases the rotation operation member, the movable part of the medical device can be maintained in a state deflected in the desired deflection direction.

[0011] In the above-described configuration, the deflection operating device for medical equipment according to the present invention is configured such that a first screw groove is formed on a peripheral surface of the rotation operating member, and a connecting member having a second screw groove formed thereon that screws into the first screw groove of the rotation operating member is provided integrally with either the first rack member or the second rack member, The power transmission mechanism may be configured to include the rotation operating member and the connecting member, and when the rotation operating member is rotated, the connecting member may be displaced in the longitudinal direction through threaded engagement between the first screw groove of the rotation operating member and the second screw groove of the connecting member, thereby displacing the first rack member and the second rack member in the longitudinal direction.

[0012] According to the above configuration, the first screw groove formed in the rotation operating member and the second screw groove formed in the connecting member provided on either the first rack member or the second rack member are screwed together, thereby enabling the rotation of the rotation operating member to be linked to the longitudinal displacement of the first rack member and the second rack member.

[0013] In the deflection operation device for medical equipment according to the present invention, in the above-mentioned configuration, the rotation operation member includes a cylindrical member having the first screw groove formed on an inner circumferential surface thereof, and is rotatably fitted to the outside of the substantially cylindrical controller housing, The first screw groove of the rotation operation member fitted to the outside of the controller housing may be screwed into the second screw groove of the connecting member provided on either the first rack member or the second rack member through an opening provided in the controller housing.

[0014] According to the above configuration, the rotation operation member can be arranged coaxially with the substantially cylindrical controller housing, and the deflection operation device for medical equipment can be made compact and small.

[0015] The deflection operating device for medical equipment according to the present invention has the above-mentioned configuration, wherein the rotation operating member is configured to integrally include a substantially cylindrical rotation shaft member and an operating handle portion provided integrally with the rotation shaft member, the first screw groove is formed on an outer peripheral surface of the rotating shaft member, and the rotating shaft member is rotatably disposed on a side of the controller housing, one of the first rack member and the second rack member has a tubular portion that protrudes laterally and is integral with the connecting member, and the tubular portion is fitted onto the rotating shaft member; The second screw groove is formed on the inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion, The rotating shaft may be rotatably inserted into the cylindrical portion, and the first screw groove of the rotating shaft and the second screw groove of the cylindrical portion may be screwed together.

[0016] According to the above configuration, by arranging the rotation operating member so that it is inserted into the cylindrical portion protruding from the side of the controller housing, the rotation operating member can be arranged on the side of the controller housing, and the rotation operating member can be rotated while holding the controller housing.

[0017] In the deflection operating device for medical equipment according to the present invention, in the above configuration, the rotation operating member is integrally provided with a substantially cylindrical rotation shaft member having a first screw groove formed on an outer circumferential surface thereof, and an operating handle portion integrally provided with the rotation shaft member, and an engaging member is provided at a predetermined position in the cylindrical axial direction of the rotation shaft member, a rotating shaft member support portion having a second screw groove formed therein that screw-engages with the first screw groove of the rotating shaft member, the rotating operation member being rotatably supported by the rotating shaft member support portion; one of the first rack member and the second rack member has integrally therewith a side protrusion member that protrudes laterally through an opening provided in the controller housing and is engageable with the engaging member, The power transmission mechanism may be configured to include the rotation operation member, the engagement member, and the side protrusion member, and when the rotation operation member is rotated, the engagement member moves translationally relative to the controller housing together with the rotation operation member, and the first rack member and the second rack member move translationally in the longitudinal direction through engagement between the engagement member and the side protrusion member.

[0018] According to the above configuration, the engagement member can be displaced in the longitudinal direction by rotating the rotation operation member that threads into the rotation shaft support portion of the controller housing, and further, the engagement member provided on the rotation operation member and a side protrusion member provided on either the first rack member or the second rack member can be engaged to displace the first rack member and the second rack member in the longitudinal direction. Also, by arranging the rotation operation member so that it engages with the side protrusion member that protrudes laterally from the controller housing, the rotation operation member can be arranged on the side of the controller housing, and it becomes possible to rotate the rotation operation member while holding down the controller housing. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0019] [Figure 1]1 is a plan view showing the overall configuration of a medical device including a deflection operation device for medical equipment according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. 1. [Figure 3] 1A and 1B are diagrams showing the vicinity of the distal end of a tubular member in a first embodiment of the present invention, where (a) is a perspective view showing the vicinity of the distal end of the tubular member, and (b) is a transparent view for explaining the inside of the tubular member. [Figure 4] 5A and 5B are diagrams illustrating the bending operation of the movable part of the tubular member in the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] 1 is a perspective view of a deflection operating device for a medical instrument according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] 1 is an exploded perspective view of a deflection operating device for a medical instrument according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] 1A and 1B are perspective views of the upper cover of the deflection operating device for medical equipment according to the first embodiment of the present invention, where FIG. 1A is a perspective view of the upper cover from the top side, and FIG. 1B is a perspective view of the upper cover from the bottom side. [Figure 8] 1A and 1B are perspective views of the inner lid portion of the deflection operating device for medical equipment in the first embodiment of the present invention, where FIG. 1A is a perspective view of the inner lid portion seen from the top side, and FIG. 1B is a perspective view of the inner lid portion seen from the bottom side. [Figure 9] 1 is a perspective view of a base of a deflection operation device for a medical instrument according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] 1A and 1B are plan views of a first rack member and a second rack member of a deflection operating device for a medical instrument in a first embodiment of the present invention, where (a) is a plan view showing the first rack member and (b) is a plan view showing the second rack member. [Figure 11] 1 is a partially exploded perspective view showing a partially assembled state of a deflection operating device for a medical instrument according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] 1 is a side view of a deflection operating device for a medical instrument according to a first embodiment of the present invention, viewed from the side where a threaded coupling member is arranged. [Figure 13] 1 is a first plan view of a deflection operation device for a medical instrument according to a first embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 14] FIG. 2 is a second plan view of the deflection operation device for medical equipment according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 15] FIG. 3 is a third plan view of the deflection operation device for medical equipment according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 16] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a deflection operating device for a medical instrument according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 17] FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of a deflection operating device for a medical instrument according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 18] 10A and 10B are perspective views of the upper cover of a deflection operating device for medical equipment according to a second embodiment of the present invention, where FIG. 10A is a perspective view of the upper cover from the top side, and FIG. 10B is a perspective view of the upper cover from the bottom side. [Figure 19] 10A and 10B are perspective views of an inner lid portion of a deflection operating device for medical equipment in a second embodiment of the present invention, where FIG. 10A is a perspective view of the inner lid portion seen from above, and FIG. 10B is a perspective view of the inner lid portion seen from below. [Figure 20] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a base of a deflection operating device for a medical instrument according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 21] 10A and 10B are plan views of a first rack member and a second rack member of a deflection operating device for medical equipment in a second embodiment of the present invention, where (a) is a plan view showing the first rack member and (b) is a plan view showing the second rack member. [Figure 22] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a rotation operation member and an engagement member of a deflection operation device for a medical instrument according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 23] FIG. 10 is a partially exploded perspective view showing a partially assembled state of a deflection operating device for a medical instrument according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 24] FIG. 10 is a first plan view of a deflection operation device for a medical instrument according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 25] FIG. 10 is a second plan view of the deflection operation device for medical equipment according to the second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 26] FIG. 10 is a third plan view of the deflection operation device for medical equipment according to the second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 27]FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a deflection operating device for a medical instrument according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 28] FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of a deflection operating device for a medical instrument according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 29] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a cover of a deflection operating device for a medical instrument according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 30] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a base of a deflection operating device for a medical instrument according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 31] 10 is a perspective view of a first rack member, a second rack member, a rotation operation member, and an engagement member of a deflection operation device for a medical instrument according to a third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 32] FIG. 10 is a partially exploded perspective view showing a partially assembled state of a deflection operating device for a medical instrument according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 33] FIG. 10 is a side view of a deflection operating device for medical equipment according to a third embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from the side where a rotation operating member is arranged. [Figure 34] FIG. 10 is a first plan view of a deflection operation device for a medical instrument according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 35] FIG. 10 is a second plan view of the deflection operation device for medical equipment according to the third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 36] FIG. 10 is a third plan view of the deflection operation device for medical equipment according to the third embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0020] Hereinafter, first to third embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In this specification, the user (practitioner) of a medical device provided with a deflection operation device for medical equipment according to the present invention is taken as the reference point, and the inside of the patient's body is taken as the distal side, and the side of the user's hand is taken as the proximal side. The drawings referred to in this specification are not necessarily to an accurate scale relative to the actual dimensions, and some parts are exaggerated or simplified to schematically show the configuration according to the present invention.

[0021] (First embodiment) A medical device 1 including a deflection manipulation device 100 for medical equipment (hereinafter referred to as deflection manipulation device 100) in a first embodiment of the present invention will be described. Fig. 1 is a plan view showing the overall configuration of a medical device 1 including a deflection manipulation device 100 in this embodiment.

[0022] 1 includes a deflection control device 100 and a long tubular member 10 whose distal end is deflected by the deflection control device 100. The deflection control device 100 in this embodiment is configured so that a user can turn a rotation control member 800 to deflectably control a movable part 20 (also referred to as an operated part or a deflecting part) located at the distal end of the tubular member 10 that constitutes the medical device 1 as a medical instrument. Medical instruments that include the tubular member 10 include, but are not limited to, endoscopes, catheters, cannulas, and the like.

[0023] The tubular member 10 is made of a flexible, long tube member, and has a movable section 20 at its tip end, i.e., the distal end (left side in FIG. 1 ), which is inserted into the body, that can be deflected left and right. The axial length of the tubular member 10 is not particularly limited and can be set to a length that allows it to reach a desired location inside the body. The radial length of the tubular member 10 is also not particularly limited and can be set to a length that allows it to be inserted into a luminal organ or an endoscopic forceps port inside the body. The material of the tubular member 10 is preferably flexible enough to allow the tubular member 10 to flexibly deform when inserted into the body, but is also preferably harmless to the human body. For example, biocompatible polymeric materials such as polyurethane, polyethylene, polypropylene, or fluororesins such as polytetrafluoroethylene can be used.

[0024] A distal tip 50 is attached to the distal end 10a of the tubular member 10. The proximal end of the tubular member 10 is inserted into a sleeve portion 210 of the deflection control device 100, and the proximal end 10b (see FIG. 6) of the tubular member 10 passes through the inside of the deflection control device 100 and is connected to a connecting member 250. As will be described later, a first control wire W1 and a second control wire W2 are attached to the distal end of the tubular member 10 so as to enable deflection control by the deflection control device 100 (see, for example, FIGS. 3(a) and 3(b)).

[0025] The deflection operation device 100 is a device operated by a user and is placed outside the body during use. The deflection operation device 100 is configured to be able to deflect the movable part 20 of the tubular member 10 by displacing the first operation wire W1 and the second operation wire W2 attached to the distal end of the tubular member 10 in the longitudinal direction along the extension direction of the wires.

[0026] The tubular member 10, the first operating wire W1 and the second operating wire W2 will be described with reference to Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in Fig. 1.

[0027] A movable part 20 that can be deflected using a deflection control device 100 is provided at the distal end of the tubular member 10. By controlling the bending (curving) action of the movable part 20 using the deflection control device 100, the distal end of the tubular member 10 can be deflected in a desired deflection direction.

[0028] As shown in the cross-sectional view of Fig. 2, the tubular member 10 has a tubular structure with a lumen formed along its extension direction. A main lumen 13 is formed in the approximate center of the cross section of the tubular member 10 along the axial direction of the tubular member 10. The main lumen 13 is formed so as to open at the distal end 10a and the proximal end 10b of the tubular member 10, respectively.

[0029] Wire lumens 11a, 11b, 12a, and 12b for inserting the first operating wire W1 and the second operating wire W2 are formed in the tube wall between the outer peripheral surface of the tubular member 10 and the main lumen 13. As shown in Fig. 2 as an example, a pair of wire lumens 11a and 11b and a pair of wire lumens 12a and 12b, that is, a total of four wire lumens 11a, 11b, 12a, and 12b, are formed in the tubular member 10. Like the main lumen 13, each of the wire lumens 11a, 11b, 12a, and 12b is formed so as to open at the distal end 10a and the proximal end 10b of the tubular member 10.

[0030] A first operating wire W1 is inserted through the pair of wire lumens 11a, 11b, and a second operating wire W2 is inserted through the pair of wire lumens 12a, 12b. The pair of wire lumens 11a, 11b and the pair of wire lumens 12a, 12b are respectively provided at positions that are approximately 180 degrees opposite each other with respect to the central axis of the tubular member 10. In this embodiment, as will be described later, the proximal ends of the first operating wire W1 and the second operating wire W2 are led out of the wire lumens 11a, 11b, 12a, 12b near the wire insertion grooves 412, 413 of the deflection operating device 100 and fixed to the first rack member 500 and the second rack member 600, respectively.

[0031] In order to reinforce the tubular member 10 and prevent twisting of the tubular member 10, the tubular member 10 may be provided with a braided layer in which a reinforcing member made of braided wires such as stainless steel is arranged. The tubular member 10 may also have multiple lumens, or may be a multi-layered tube.

[0032] The configuration of the vicinity of the distal end 10a of the tubular member 10 will be described with reference to Figures 3(a), (b), and 4. Figure 3 shows the vicinity of the distal end 10a of the tubular member 10 in this embodiment, with (a) being a perspective view schematically showing the vicinity of the distal end 10a of the tubular member 10, and (b) being a see-through view for illustrating the interior of the tubular member 10. Note that the main lumen 13 is not shown in Figure 3(b). Figure 4 is a view for illustrating the bending operation of the movable part 20 of the tubular member 10 in this embodiment.

[0033] A distal tip 50 made of, for example, metal is provided at the distal end 10a of the tubular member 10. The distal tip 50 protects the distal end 10a of the tubular member 10 and, by being formed in a tapered shape, serves to reduce the insertion resistance of the tubular member 10 into the body. The distal tip 50 is fixed to the distal end 10a of the tubular member 10.

[0034] A through-hole 55a is provided along the central axis of the distal tip 50. The through-hole 55a communicates with the main lumen 13 of the tubular member 10, and the main lumen 13 of the tubular member 10 communicates with the outside via this through-hole 55a.

[0035] A pair of recesses 56, 57 are formed on the proximal side surface of the distal tip 50. Wire insertion holes 56a, 56b are formed in the recess 56. Similarly, wire insertion holes 57a, 57b are also formed in the recess 57. The wire insertion holes 56a, 56b, 57a, 57b are provided to correspond to the opening positions of the wire lumens 11a, 11b, 12a, 12b that open at the distal end 10a of the tubular member 10, and the first operating wire W1 and the second operating wire W2 that are inserted through the wire lumens 11a, 11b, 12a, 12b are inserted through the wire insertion holes 56a, 56b, 57a, 57b, respectively.

[0036] 2 and 3(b), a single operating wire (first operating wire W1) is inserted through the wire lumens 11a and 11b, and a single operating wire (second operating wire W2) is inserted through the wire lumens 12a and 12b. The first operating wire W1 and the second operating wire W2 are made of a metal (stainless steel or the like) flexible enough to bend in accordance with the curvature of the tubular member 10 including the movable part 20.

[0037] The first operating wire W1, which is inserted through the wire lumens 11a and 11b, is inserted through wire insertion holes 56a and 56b of the distal tip 50, which are provided corresponding to the wire lumens 11a and 11b. The first operating wire W1 has a folded intermediate portion W1c, which corresponds to approximately halfway along the axial direction of the wire, folded back in the recess 56 of the distal tip 50. Using the folded intermediate portion W1c as a reference, the operating wire W1a on one end side is inserted through the wire lumen 11a via the wire insertion hole 56a, and the operating wire W1b on the other end side is inserted through the wire lumen 11b via the wire insertion hole 56b. When the operating wires W1a and W1b are pulled proximally, the folded intermediate portion W1c engages with the distal tip 50 due to the tensile force.

[0038] The second operating wire W2, which is inserted through the wire lumens 12a and 12b, is inserted through wire insertion holes 57a and 57b of the distal tip 50, which are provided corresponding to the wire lumens 12a and 12b. The second operating wire W2 has a folded middle portion W2c, which corresponds to approximately halfway in the axial direction of the wire, folded back in the recess 57 of the distal tip 50. Using the folded middle portion W2c as a reference, the operating wire W2a on one end side is inserted through the wire lumen 12a through the wire insertion hole 57a, and the operating wire W2b on the other end side is inserted through the wire lumen 12b through the wire insertion hole 57b. When the operating wires W2a and W2b are pulled proximally, the folded middle portion W2c engages with the distal tip 50 due to the tensile force.

[0039] In this way, by adopting a structure in which the wire is folded back at the distal end 10a of the tubular member 10, the number of parts can be reduced, the number of manufacturing steps can be reduced, and structural restrictions can be reduced.

[0040] The operation wire W1a on one end side constituting the first operation wire W1 is inserted into the wire lumen 11a and extends along the tubular member 10, and the proximal end of the operation wire W1a is led into the deflection operation device 100. Similarly, the operation wire W1b on the other end side constituting the first operation wire W1 is inserted into the wire lumen 11b and extends along the tubular member 10, and the proximal end of the operation wire W1b is led into the deflection operation device 100. As will be described later, the proximal end of the operation wire W1a and the proximal end of the operation wire W1b are led out of the wire lumen 11a and the wire lumen 11b, respectively, near the wire insertion groove 412 of the deflection operation device 100, and are connected and fixed to the first rack member 500 of the deflection operation device 100. When the first rack member 500 is displaced toward the longitudinal base end, the operating wires W1a and W1b are pulled toward the proximal side (the longitudinal base end), and the movable part 20 is deflected toward the side where the recess 56 of the distal tip 50 is located (in the direction of arrow α shown in Figure 4).

[0041] The operation wire W2a on one end side constituting the second operation wire W2 is inserted into the wire lumen 12a and extends along the tubular member 10, and the proximal end of the operation wire W2a is led into the deflection operation device 100. Similarly, the operation wire W2b on the other end side constituting the second operation wire W2 is inserted into the wire lumen 12b and extends along the tubular member 10, and the proximal end of the operation wire W2b is led into the deflection operation device 100. As will be described later, the proximal end of the operation wire W2a and the proximal end of the operation wire W2b are led out of the wire lumen 12a and the wire lumen 12b, respectively, near the wire insertion groove 413 of the deflection operation device 100, and are connected and fixed to the second rack member 600 of the deflection operation device 100. When the second rack member 600 is displaced toward the base end in the longitudinal direction, the operating wires W2a and W2b are pulled toward the proximal side (the base end in the longitudinal direction), and the movable part 20 is deflected toward the side where the recess 57 of the distal tip 50 is located (in the direction of arrow β shown in Figure 4).

[0042] The configuration of a deflection operation device 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0043] Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the deflection operation device 100 in this embodiment. Fig. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the deflection operation device 100 in this embodiment.

[0044] In the description herein, the side where the sleeve portion 210 is disposed (the side where the tubular member 10 is inserted) is referred to as the distal end side in the longitudinal direction, and the side where the connection member 250 is disposed is referred to as the proximal end side in the longitudinal direction. Also, the side where the upper cover portion 320 is disposed is referred to as the upper side, and the side where the base 400 is disposed is referred to as the lower side. In the coordinate axes of Fig. 5, the Y-axis direction is the longitudinal direction, the X-axis direction is the width direction, the positive Z-axis direction is the upper side, and the negative Z-axis direction is the lower side.

[0045] 5, the deflection operation device 100 has a generally cylindrical shape extending in the longitudinal direction as a whole, and includes a controller housing 200, a rotation operation member 800, and a base-end tubular member 900. A sleeve portion 210 is provided at the longitudinal tip of the deflection operation device 100 at a position coinciding with the central axis C of the generally cylindrical deflection operation device 100, and the tubular member 10 is inserted into the controller housing 200 from the sleeve portion 210. The controller housing 200 constitutes the housing of the deflection operation device 100.

[0046] The rotation operation member 800 is rotatably disposed relative to the controller housing 200. A user can perform a deflection operation of the movable part 20 of the tubular member 10 by rotating the rotation operation member 800. Note that, with respect to the rotation directions in which the rotation operation member 800 rotates around the central axis C, one rotation direction is referred to as rotation direction R1 and the other rotation direction is referred to as rotation direction R2, as shown in FIG. 5 . The rotation direction R1 is the direction of counterclockwise rotation about the central axis C when the deflection operation device 100 is viewed from the tip end side in the longitudinal direction, and the rotation direction R2 is the direction of clockwise rotation about the central axis C when the deflection operation device 100 is viewed from the tip end side in the longitudinal direction.

[0047] The base-end-side cylindrical member 900 is disposed on the base-end side in the longitudinal direction of the rotation operation member 800, and is fitted onto and fixed to the controller housing 200. In addition, a connection member 250 is provided at the base end of the deflection operation device 100 in the longitudinal direction.

[0048] As shown in the exploded perspective view of Fig. 6, the deflection operation device 100 is composed of a connecting member 250, an upper cover portion 320, an inner cover portion 360, a base 400, a first rack member 500, a second rack member 600, a pinion member 700, a rotation operation member 800, and a base-end-side cylindrical member 900. The upper cover portion 320 and the inner cover portion 360 overlap each other to form the cover body 300, and the cover body 300 and the base 400 overlap each other to form the controller housing 200. The deflection operation device 100 can be assembled by combining these components. Each component is not particularly limited, but can be made of, for example, a polymer material.

[0049] The configuration of each member of the deflection operation device 100 in this embodiment will be described below.

[0050] As shown in Figure 6, the connecting member 250 is integrally formed by a tip-side tubular member 251, a base-side tubular member 252, a pair of blade members 254 arranged on the tip side in the longitudinal direction, and an engaging portion 255 arranged on the base side in the longitudinal direction.

[0051] A through-hole 253 is formed in the axial direction in the distal end side tubular member 251 and the proximal end side tubular member 252. The distal end side tubular member 251 is housed between a tubular member accommodating groove 334 (see FIG. 7(b)) of the upper lid portion 320 and a tubular member accommodating groove 366 (see FIG. 8(a)) of the inner lid portion 360, and the proximal end side tubular member 252 is exposed to the outside through a gap between a tubular member insertion groove 335 (see FIG. 7(b)) of the upper lid portion 320 and a tubular member insertion groove 368 (see FIG. 8(a)) of the inner lid portion 360.

[0052] Although not shown, a step is provided in the longitudinal middle portion of the through-hole 253 (for example, the boundary between the distal-side tubular member 251 and the proximal-side tubular member 252). The through-hole 253 is formed so that the portion distal to the step has substantially the same size as the outer diameter of the tubular member 10, and the portion proximal to the step has substantially the same size as the inner diameter of the tubular member 10. The proximal end 10b of the tubular member 10 is inserted into the through-hole 253. When the proximal end 10b of the tubular member 10 is inserted into the through-hole 253 from the distal end in the longitudinal direction, the proximal end 10b of the tubular member 10 abuts against the step in the through-hole 253 and is prevented from advancing beyond the step toward the proximal end in the longitudinal direction. Furthermore, when a guide wire is inserted through the main lumen 13 of the tubular member 10, the guide wire can be led out from the base end side of the through-hole 253 in the longitudinal direction.

[0053] The pair of blade members 254 are formed by flat plate-like members that protrude laterally from the tip-side tubular member 251. The pair of blade members 254 are housed in blade member housing grooves 367 (see FIG. 8(a)) provided in the inner lid portion 360, thereby restricting the rotation and longitudinal movement of the connecting member 250. The engaging portion 255 is formed by, for example, a protruding member that protrudes laterally at the base end of the base-side tubular member 252. The engaging portion 255 is disposed outside the controller housing 200, and functions as an engaging portion with a connector or the like that is connected to the base end side of the connecting member 250 in the longitudinal direction.

[0054] 7A and 7B are perspective views of the upper cover 320 of the deflection operation device 100 in this embodiment, where (a) is a perspective view of the upper cover 320 seen from above, and (b) is a perspective view of the upper cover 320 seen from below.

[0055] 7(a) and 7(b), the tip portion of the top cover portion 320 is configured to have, from the longitudinal tip side, a tapered portion 321, a curved portion 322, and a straight body portion 323. The tapered portion 321, together with a tapered portion 401 of the base 400 described below, configures the sleeve portion 210. The curved portion 322 has a curved surface that smoothly connects the tapered portion 321 and the straight body portion 323, and on the longitudinal base end side of the curved portion 322, the straight body portion 323 extends to the longitudinal center of the top cover portion 320.

[0056] An expanded diameter portion 324 is provided on the longitudinal base end side of the straight body portion 323. The expanded diameter portion 324 is formed in a tapered shape with a diameter that gradually increases toward the longitudinal base end side. A straight body portion 325 is provided on the longitudinal base end side of the expanded diameter portion 324. When the deflection operation device 100 is assembled, the rotation operation member 800 and the base end side cylindrical member 900 are fitted onto the straight body portion 325.

[0057] A step portion 323a is formed in the straight body portion 323, and the top lid portion 320 is formed so that it is thinner on the longitudinal base end side than the step portion 323a. As a result, an inner lid accommodating portion 326 is formed on the underside of the top lid portion 320, on the longitudinal base end side than the step portion 323a. The inner lid accommodating portion 326 forms a space for accommodating the inner lid portion 360. When the top lid portion 320 and the inner lid portion 360 are stacked facing each other, the inner lid portion 360 is accommodated in the inner lid accommodating portion 326, and a smooth surface with no steps is formed between the top lid portion 320 and the inner lid portion 360.

[0058] When the deflection operation device 100 is assembled, the lower surface of the upper lid portion 320 faces the upper surface of the base 400 and the upper surface of the inner lid portion 360. The lower surface of the upper lid portion 320 has a shape that matches the upper surfaces of the base 400 and the inner lid portion 360 that face it.

[0059] As shown in FIG. 7(b), a tubular member insertion groove 331 having a substantially semicircular cross section into which the tubular member 10 can be fitted is formed on the underside of the upper cover portion 320. The tubular member insertion groove 331 extends longitudinally from the tapered portion 321 through the widthwise central portion of the upper cover portion 320 to the longitudinal base end side. Near the curved portion 322, the tubular member insertion groove 331 has an inclined portion 331a that curves upward as it extends toward the longitudinal base end side. In addition, a pair of curved convex ridges 332, 333 having convex portions that curve along the pair of wire insertion grooves 412, 413 (see FIG. 9) of the base 400 are provided on the undersides of the longitudinal tip sides of the curved portion 322 and the straight body portion 323.

[0060] 7(b), a tubular member accommodating groove 334 having a substantially semicircular cross section into which the distal end side tubular member 251 of the connecting member 250 can be fitted is formed on the underside of the longitudinal base end side of the straight body portion 325, so as to be continuous with the tubular member insertion groove 331. Furthermore, a tubular member insertion groove 335 having a substantially semicircular cross section into which the proximal end side tubular member 252 of the connecting member 250 can be fitted is formed on the longitudinal base end side of the tubular member accommodating groove 334.

[0061] When the cover body 300, which is composed of the upper cover portion 320 and the inner cover portion 360, and the base 400 are placed face to face and overlapped with each other, the tapered portion 321 of the upper cover portion 320 overlaps with the tapered portion 401 (see FIG. 9) of the base 400, and the tubular member insertion groove 331 overlaps with the tubular member insertion groove 411 (see FIG. 9) of the base 400. Inside the sleeve portion 210, which is composed of the tapered portion 321 of the upper cover portion 320 and the tapered portion 401 of the base 400, a tubular member insertion hole is formed, through which the tubular member 10 is inserted, with the tubular member insertion groove 331 of the upper cover portion 320 overlapping with the tubular member insertion groove 411 (see FIG. 9) of the base 400. The tubular member insertion hole in the sleeve portion 210 is positioned at a position that substantially coincides with the central axis C of the deflection operation device 100. As will be described later, the tubular member insertion groove 411 of the base 400 has an inclined portion 411a (see Figure 9) formed at a position opposite the inclined portion 331a of the upper cover portion 320, and the tubular member 10 inserted into the sleeve portion 210 is guided to the upper side of the controller housing 200 by the inclined portion 331a and the inclined portion 411a.

[0062] When the top lid portion 320 and the middle lid portion 360 are placed opposite each other and overlapped, the tubular member insertion groove 331 formed in the lower surface of the straight body portion 323 of the top lid portion 320 overlaps with the tubular member insertion groove 365 (see FIG. 8(a)) formed in the upper surface of the middle lid portion 360, thereby forming a tubular member insertion hole through which the tubular member 10 is inserted. Here, the tubular member insertion hole formed between the tubular member insertion groove 331 and the tubular member insertion groove 365 extends in the longitudinal direction and has a shape that bulges slightly upward near the center in the longitudinal direction.

[0063] As will be described later, a sloping portion 365a (see Figure 8(a)) is formed in the tubular member insertion groove 365 of the middle lid portion 360 at a position opposite to the sloping portion 331a of the top lid portion 320, and the tubular member 10 inserted into the sleeve portion 210 is guided to the upper side of the controller housing 200 by the sloping portion 331a and the sloping portion 365a, and extends between the top lid portion 320 and the middle lid portion 360 to the longitudinal base end side.

[0064] Furthermore, when the upper cover part 320 and the base 400 are placed face to face with each other and overlapped, the curved ridge parts 332, 333 fit into the wire insertion grooves 412, 413 of the base 400. At this time, the upper surfaces of the curved ridge parts 332, 333 are spaced apart from the lower surfaces of the wire insertion grooves 412, 413, forming a space for inserting the first operation wire W1 and the second operation wire W2. This positions the upper cover part 320 and the base 400, and narrows the space formed by the wire insertion grooves 412, 413 of the base 400 by the curved ridge parts 332, 333, making it possible to stabilize the insertion state of the first operation wire W1 and the second operation wire W2.

[0065] 8A and 8B are perspective views of the inner lid portion 360 of the deflection operation device 100 in this embodiment, where (a) is a perspective view of the inner lid portion 360 seen from above, and (b) is a perspective view of the inner lid portion 360 seen from below.

[0066] Inner lid portion 360 is composed of a flat plate member 361 extending in the longitudinal direction. At a position facing enlarged diameter portion 324 of top lid portion 320, enlarged diameter portion 364 is provided, which is tapered like enlarged diameter portion 324. When top lid portion 320 and inner lid portion 360 are stacked facing each other, inner lid portion 360 is accommodated in inner lid accommodating portion 326 of top lid portion 320, and side walls 362, 363 of inner lid portion 360 form a smooth surface with no steps with top lid portion 320.

[0067] As shown in Fig. 8(a), a tubular member insertion groove 365 having a substantially semicircular cross section into which the tubular member 10 can be fitted is formed on the upper surface of the inner lid portion 360. The tubular member insertion groove 365 extends from the distal end surface of the inner lid portion 360 along the longitudinal direction, through the widthwise central portion to the longitudinal base end side. As shown in Fig. 8(a), an inclined portion 365a is provided on the distal end side of the tubular member insertion groove 365, which curves downward as it progresses toward the distal end in the longitudinal direction.

[0068] The tubular member 10 is inserted from the sleeve portion 210 positioned on the central axis C toward the base end in the longitudinal direction, but is guided by the inclined portion 365a above the central axis C. As described above, the inclined portion 331a and the tubular member insertion groove 331 are formed in the top cover portion 320 at a position facing the inclined portion 365a and the tubular member insertion groove 365 of the middle cover portion 360, and when the top cover portion 320 and the middle cover portion 360 are placed on top of each other, a tubular member insertion hole is formed.

[0069] 8(a), a tubular member accommodating groove 366 having a substantially semicircular cross section, into which the distal tubular member 251 of the connecting member 250 can be fitted, is formed on the upper surface of the longitudinal base end side of the inner lid portion 360, so as to be continuous with the tubular member insertion groove 365. Furthermore, a pair of rectangular blade member accommodating grooves 367 having flat bottoms, into which the pair of blade members 254 of the connecting member 250 can be fitted, are formed on both sides of the tubular member accommodating groove 366. Furthermore, a tubular member insertion groove 368 having a substantially semicircular cross section, into which the proximal tubular member 252 of the connecting member 250 can be fitted, is formed on the longitudinal base end side of the tubular member accommodating groove 366. As described above, the connecting member 250 is attached to the cover body 300 by having the tip-side tubular member 251 accommodated between the tubular member accommodating groove 334 of the upper cover portion 320 and the tubular member accommodating groove 366 of the middle cover portion 360, and the pair of blade members 254 accommodated in the pair of blade member accommodating grooves 367.

[0070] One side wall 362 of the inner lid portion 360 (the side where a threaded coupling member 550, described later, is disposed) is provided with a rib portion 369 that protrudes laterally, on the longitudinal tip side of the expanded diameter portion 364. The rib portion 369 has a shape that matches the opposing rib portion 406 of the base 400 (see FIG. 9).

[0071] 8(b), a recessed groove 369a that is open on the longitudinal base end side and the bottom side is formed inside the rib portion 369. A similar recessed groove 406a is also formed in the opposing rib portion 406 of the base 400, and when the lid body 300 and the base 400 are placed face to face with each other and overlapped, a space is formed between the rib portion 369 of the inner lid portion 360 and the rib portion 406 of the base 400 into which the threaded connecting member 550, which moves back and forth in the longitudinal direction, can enter.

[0072] Furthermore, a slide guide groove 370 is formed in the side wall 362 on the longitudinal base end side of the rib portion 369. The slide guide groove 370 is formed to be recessed inward from the side wall 362 of the inner lid portion 360, and extends along the longitudinal direction so as to be continuous with the recessed groove 369a of the rib portion 369. A similar slide guide groove 407 (see FIG. 9) is also formed in the opposing base 400, so that the threaded coupling member 550 can move back and forth in the longitudinal direction between the slide guide groove 370 of the inner lid portion 360 and the slide guide groove 407 of the base 400.

[0073] As shown in FIG. 8(b), the underside of the inner cover portion 360 is formed with a first guide groove 371 that guides the first rack member 500 so that it can be displaced back and forth in the longitudinal direction, and a second guide groove 372 that guides the second rack member 600 so that it can be displaced back and forth in the longitudinal direction.

[0074] At the widthwise center of the underside of inner lid portion 360, a convex rib portion 373 is provided on the longitudinal tip side, and a convex rib portion 374 is provided on the longitudinal base end side. Convex rib portion 373 and convex rib portion 374 are spaced apart from each other at the longitudinal center of inner lid portion 360. A pinion member 700 can be disposed between convex rib portion 373 and convex rib portion 374, and a shaft support hole 375 is formed that rotatably supports the end of a rotating shaft member 720 of pinion member 700.

[0075] The first guide groove 371 extends in the longitudinal direction between one side wall 362 and the ridge portions 373 and 374, and the second guide groove 372 extends in the longitudinal direction between the other side wall 363 and the ridge portions 373 and 374. As will be described later, the top surface of the base 400 is similarly formed with the first guide groove 421, the second guide groove 422, the ridge portions 423 and 424, and the shaft support hole 425 (see FIG. 9). As a result, when the inner lid portion 360 and the base 400 are placed one on top of the other, a space is formed to accommodate the first rack member 500, the second rack member 600, and the pinion member 700.

[0076] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the base 400 in this embodiment.

[0077] 9, the tip portion of the base 400 is configured to have, from the tip side in the longitudinal direction, a tapered portion 401, a curved portion 402, and a straight body portion 403. The tapered portion 401, together with the tapered portion 321 of the upper cover portion 320 described above, configures the sleeve portion 210. The curved portion 402 has a curved surface that smoothly connects the tapered portion 401 and the straight body portion 403, and on the base end side in the longitudinal direction of the curved portion 402, the straight body portion 403 extends to the center of the base 400 in the longitudinal direction.

[0078] An expanded diameter portion 404 is provided on the base end side in the longitudinal direction of the straight body portion 403. The expanded diameter portion 404 is formed in a tapered shape with a diameter that gradually increases toward the base end side in the longitudinal direction. A straight body portion 405 is provided on the base end side in the longitudinal direction of the expanded diameter portion 404. When the deflection operation device 100 is assembled, the rotation operation member 800 and the base end side cylindrical member 900 are fitted onto the straight body portion 405.

[0079] One side wall 400a of the base 400 (the side where a threaded coupling member 550, described later, is disposed) is provided with a rib portion 406 that protrudes laterally, on the longitudinal tip side of the expanded diameter portion 404. The rib portion 406 has a shape that matches the rib portion 369 of the opposing inner lid portion 360.

[0080] 9, a recessed groove 406a is formed inside the rib portion 406, the recessed groove 406a being open on the longitudinal base end side and the bottom surface side. In addition, a slide guide groove 407 is formed in the side wall 400a on the longitudinal base end side of the rib portion 369. The slide guide groove 407 is formed to be recessed inward from the side wall 400a of the base 400, and extends along the longitudinal direction so as to be continuous with the recessed groove 406a of the rib portion 406. As described above, a space is formed between the rib portion 369 of the inner lid portion 360 and the rib portion 406 of the base 400, into which the threaded coupling member 550, which reciprocates in the longitudinal direction, can enter.

[0081] 9, a tubular member insertion groove 411 having a substantially semicircular cross section into which the tubular member 10 can be fitted is formed on the upper surface of the tip portion of the base 400. The tubular member insertion groove 411 extends in the longitudinal direction from the tapered portion 401 and has an inclined portion 411a that curves upward as it progresses toward the base end in the longitudinal direction near the curved portion 402. As described above, the inclined portion 411a is formed at a position opposite the inclined portion 331a of the upper cover portion 320, and the tubular member 10 inserted into the sleeve portion 210 is guided to the upper side of the controller housing 200 by the inclined portion 331a and the inclined portion 411a.

[0082] 9, a pair of wire insertion grooves 412, 413 are formed on the upper surface of the base 400 near the curved portion 402. The pair of wire insertion grooves 412, 413 branch off from the tubular member insertion groove 411, extend toward the base end in the longitudinal direction, and reach the first guide groove 421 and the second guide groove 422, respectively. As described above, the curved ridge portions 332, 333 of the upper cover portion 320 fit into the wire insertion grooves 412, 413, and spaces for inserting the first operation wire W1 and the second operation wire W2 are formed between the curved ridge portions 332, 333 and the wire insertion grooves 412, 413.

[0083] As shown in FIG. 9, the upper surface of the base 400 is formed with a first guide groove 421 that guides the first rack member 500 so that it can be displaced back and forth in the longitudinal direction, and a second guide groove 422 that guides the second rack member 600 so that it can be displaced back and forth in the longitudinal direction.

[0084] A convex rib portion 423 is provided at the widthwise center of the top surface of base 400 on the longitudinal tip side and a convex rib portion 424 is provided at the longitudinal base end side. Convex rib portion 423 and convex rib portion 424 are spaced apart from each other at the longitudinal center of base 400. Pinion member 700 can be disposed between convex rib portion 423 and convex rib portion 424, and a shaft support hole 425 is formed to rotatably support the end of a rotating shaft member 720 of pinion member 700. Shaft support hole 425 is formed in a position facing shaft support hole 375 of inner lid portion 360 in the vertical direction, and rotating shaft member 720 of pinion member 700 is supported by shaft support hole 375 and shaft support hole 425 so as to be approximately perpendicular to the top surface of base 400.

[0085] First guide groove 421 extends in the longitudinal direction between one side wall 400a and ridge portions 423 and 424, and second guide groove 422 extends in the longitudinal direction between the other side wall 400b and ridge portions 423 and 424. As described above, first guide groove 371, second guide groove 372, ridge portions 373 and 374, and shaft support hole 375 are formed on the underside of inner lid portion 360. As a result, when inner lid portion 360 and base 400 are placed one on top of the other, a space is formed to accommodate first rack member 500, second rack member 600, and pinion member 700.

[0086] Furthermore, the first guide groove 421 has a guide step 426 formed on the inside of one side wall 400a along the longitudinal direction, and the second guide groove 422 has a guide step 427 formed on the inside of the other side wall 400b along the longitudinal direction. When the first rack member 500 and the second rack member 600 are arranged in the first guide groove 421 and the second guide groove 422, respectively, the guide piece 512 (see FIG. 10(a)) of the first rack member 500 and the guide piece 612 (see FIG. 10(b)) of the second rack member 600 are placed on the guide step 426 and the guide step 427, respectively. This stabilizes the reciprocating displacement of the first rack member 500 and the second rack member 600 in the longitudinal direction.

[0087] Slide guide groove 407 is formed by removing a portion of side wall 400a, and side wall 400a between first guide groove 421 and slide guide groove 407 is one step lower than the upper surface of base 400. When upper cover part 320 and base 400 are stacked facing each other, as will be described later, opening 230 (see FIG. 12) is formed along slide guide groove 407, which leads threaded coupling member 550, which is provided integrally with first rack member 500, to the outside of controller housing 200.

[0088] Tool insertion grooves 431, 432 for inserting the tip of a tool such as a screwdriver are formed in the longitudinal center of side walls 400a, 400b of base 400. Tool insertion grooves 431, 432 are preferably formed at approximately the same position in the longitudinal direction, and can be formed to face each other across the position where pinion member 700 is disposed, for example.

[0089] 10(a) and 10(b) are plan views of the first rack member 500 and the second rack member 600 in this embodiment, with (a) being a plan view showing the first rack member 500 and (b) being a plan view showing the second rack member 600. FIGS. 10(a) and 10(b) show a state in which the first operating wire W1 and the second operating wire W2 are fixed to the wire fixing portion 530 of the first rack member 500 and the wire fixing portion 630 of the second rack member 600, respectively. Also, in FIGS. 10(a) and 10(b), the threaded portions 590 and 690 are shown in cross section.

[0090] As shown in Figures 10(a) and (b), the first rack member 500 and the second rack member 600 each have an elongated rectangular parallelepiped rack main body portion 510, 610 and a tooth portion 520, 620 consisting of a large number of teeth provided on the side surfaces of the rack main body portions 510, 610 that face each other.

[0091] The first rack member 500 and the second rack member 600 are housed inside the controller housing 200, which is configured by overlapping the top cover portion 320 and the base 400 facing each other, with the teeth portions 520, 620 facing each other. More specifically, the first rack member 500 is housed between the first guide groove 371 of the inner cover portion 360 and the first guide groove 421 of the base 400, and the second rack member 600 is housed between the second guide groove 372 of the inner cover portion 360 and the second guide groove 422 of the base 400, so that the first rack member 500 and the second rack member 600 are arranged so as to be reciprocally displaceable in the longitudinal direction and so that the teeth portions 520, 620 face each other.

[0092] 10(a), the rack main body 510 of the first rack member 500 has, on its outer side surface 511, a guide piece 512 extending in the longitudinal direction of the rack main body 510. This guide piece 512 is capable of reciprocating displacement in the longitudinal direction while placed on the guide step portion 426 of the base 400.

[0093] 10(b), the rack main body 610 of the second rack member 600 has, on its outer side surface 611, a guide piece 612 extending in the longitudinal direction of the rack main body 610. This guide piece 612 is capable of reciprocating displacement in the longitudinal direction while placed on the guide step portion 427 of the base 400.

[0094] 10(a), a threaded coupling member 550 is integrally provided on the rack main body 510 of the first rack member 500, protruding laterally from a guide piece 512 located on the base end side in the longitudinal direction. The rack main body 510 and the threaded coupling member 550 are integrally movable back and forth in the longitudinal direction. The threaded coupling member 550 constitutes the coupling member of the present invention.

[0095] Threaded coupling member 550 is made up of a plate-like member extending in the longitudinal direction. When top lid portion 320 and inner lid portion 360 are placed face to face and overlapped with each other, threaded coupling member 550 is arranged to be led out of controller housing 200 through opening 230 (see FIG. 12 ), and is able to move back and forth in the longitudinal direction between slide guide groove 370 of inner lid portion 360 and slide guide groove 407 of base 400.

[0096] A spiral groove 560 is formed on the entire outer side surface of the threaded coupling member 550. The spiral groove 560 formed on the threaded coupling member 550 constitutes a second threaded groove of the present invention.

[0097] The spiral groove 560 is shaped to screw into the spiral groove 810 (see FIG. 6) formed on the inner peripheral surface of the rotation operation member 800, and forms projections and depressions inclined at a predetermined angle. The spiral groove 560 can be set appropriately to match the angle and pitch (longitudinal length associated with the rotation cycle) of the spiral groove 810 of the rotation operation member 800.

[0098] 10(a), the first rack member 500 has a wire fixing part 530 for fixing the proximal end of the first operating wire W1 at approximately the center in the longitudinal direction on the upper surface side of the rack main body part 510. Also, as shown in Fig. 10(b), the second rack member 600 has a wire fixing part 630 for fixing the proximal end of the second operating wire W2 at approximately the center in the longitudinal direction on the upper surface side of the rack main body part 610.

[0099] The wire fixing portions 530, 630 have the same structure, and the first operation wire W1 and the second operation wire W2 can be fixed to the first rack member 500 and the second rack member 600, respectively, by screw fastening.

[0100] 10(b), the wire fixing portion 630 of the second rack member 600 has a groove 631 extending in the longitudinal direction formed on the surface of the rack main body portion 610, a thin metal tube 680 fitted into this groove 631, and a threaded portion 690. The threaded portion 690 has a female thread 691 fixed in a recess 632 opening into the outer side surface 611 of the rack main body portion 610, and a hexagon socket head bolt 692 screwed into the female thread 691.

[0101] As described above, the second operation wire W2 is folded back at the recess 57 of the distal tip 50, and the operation wires W2a and W2b constituting the second operation wire W2 are guided into the deflection operation device 100. The proximal ends of these operation wires W2a and W2b are guided from the wire insertion groove 413 to the second guide groove 422 and inserted into the metal tube 680 through the groove 631. The metal tube 680 is then passed through the side surface of the female thread 691, and the metal tube 680 is crimped with a bolt 692 threaded into the female thread 691, thereby crimping and fixing the second operation wire W2 inside the metal tube 680. The operation wires W2a and W2b protruding toward the base end of the metal tube 680 in the longitudinal direction are appropriately cut off. As a result, the proximal ends of the second operation wire W2 (the proximal ends of both operation wires W2a and W2b) can be fixed to the second rack member 600 together with the metal tube 680. Furthermore, the tension of the operation wires W2a, W2b can be finely adjusted by loosening the bolt 692 and moving the metal tube 680 and the operation wires W2a, W2b in the longitudinal direction. Even when the second rack member 600 is stored in the controller housing 200, the bolt 692 can be tightened or loosened by inserting the tip of a tool such as a screwdriver into the tool insertion groove 432.

[0102] 10(a), the wire fixing portion 530 of the first rack member 500 has a groove 531 formed in the surface of the rack main body 510 and extending in the longitudinal direction, a thin metal tube 580 fitted into this groove 531, and a threaded portion 590. The threaded portion 590 has a female thread 591 fixed in a recess 532 opening into the outer side surface 511 of the rack main body 510, and a hexagon socket head bolt 592 screwed into the female thread 591.

[0103] As described above, the first operation wire W1 is folded back at the recess 56 of the distal tip 50, and the operation wires W1a and W1b constituting the first operation wire W1 are guided into the deflection operation device 100. The proximal ends of these operation wires W1a and W1b are guided from the wire insertion groove 412 to the first guide groove 421 and inserted into the metal tube 580 through the groove 531. The metal tube 580 is then passed through the side surface of the female thread 591, and the metal tube 580 is crimped with a bolt 592 threaded into the female thread 591, thereby crimping and fixing the first operation wire W1 inside the metal tube 580. The operation wires W1a and W1b protruding toward the base end of the metal tube 580 in the longitudinal direction are appropriately cut off. As a result, the proximal ends of the first operation wire W1 (the proximal ends of both operation wires W1a and W1b) can be fixed to the first rack member 500 together with the metal tube 580. Furthermore, the tension of the operation wires W1a, W1b can be finely adjusted by loosening the bolts 592 and moving the metal tube 580 and the operation wires W1a, W1b in the longitudinal direction. Even when the first rack member 500 is stored inside the controller housing 200, the bolts 592 can be tightened or loosened by inserting the tip of a tool such as a screwdriver into the tool insertion groove 431.

[0104] The toothed portion 520 of the first rack member 500 and the toothed portion 620 of the second rack member 600 are arranged to face each other, and a pinion member 700 is arranged between the toothed portions 520 and 620. As shown in Fig. 6, the pinion member 700 is made up of a gear portion 710 that meshes with the toothed portions 520, 620, and a rotating shaft member 720 that is located approximately in the center of the gear portion 710 and serves as the rotating shaft of the pinion member 700.

[0105] The rotating shaft 720 of the pinion member 700 is fitted into the shaft support holes 375, 425 and is sandwiched between the cover 300 and the base 400, and is supported rotatably relative to the controller housing 200. This allows the pinion member 700 to rotate with the gear portion 710 meshing with the tooth portions 520, 620 of the first rack member 500 and the second rack member 600.

[0106] The first rack member 500 and the second rack member 600 are reciprocatingly displaced in mutually opposite directions relative to the pinion member 700 by having the respective tooth portions 520, 620 mesh with the pinion member 700.

[0107] As shown in Fig. 6, the rotation operation member 800 is configured by a cylindrical member with a through hole 801 formed in the axial direction. The through hole 801 is open at both the distal end surface and the proximal end surface of the rotation operation member 800, and by inserting the proximal end of the controller housing 200 into the through hole 801 from the distal end surface side, the rotation operation member 800 is fitted onto the cylindrical controller housing 200 and can be rotated relative to the controller housing 200. The rotation axis of the rotation operation member 800 faces in the longitudinal direction and coincides with the central axis C of the deflection operation device 100. By fitting the rotation operation member 800 onto the controller housing 200, the deflection operation device 100 can be made compact and small.

[0108] A spiral groove 810 is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the rotation operation member 800. The spiral groove 810 formed on the rotation operation member 800 constitutes the first screw groove of the present invention. When the rotation operation member 800 is fitted onto the controller housing 200, the spiral groove 810 can be screwed into the spiral groove 560 of the screw coupling member 550. The spiral groove 810 on the inner peripheral surface of the rotation operation member 800 can be appropriately set to match the angle and pitch (longitudinal length associated with the rotation period) of the spiral groove 560 of the screw coupling member 550. Furthermore, since the amount of displacement of the operation wire (the amount of deflection of the movable part 20) when the rotation operation member 800 is rotated relative to the controller housing 200 is determined by the angle and pitch of the spiral groove 560 and the spiral groove 810, the operation feel for the user can be easily adjusted by appropriately setting the angle and pitch of the spiral groove 560 and the spiral groove 810.

[0109] 6, the base-end tubular member 900 is configured from a cylindrical member with a through-hole 901 formed in the axial direction. The through-hole 901 is open at both the distal end surface and the proximal end surface of the base-end tubular member 900, and by inserting the proximal end of the controller housing 200 into the through-hole 901 from the distal end surface side, the base-end tubular member 900 can be fitted onto the controller housing 200.

[0110] The base-end tubular member 900 is fixed to the base-end side in the longitudinal direction relative to the rotation operation member 800, and functions to prevent the rotation operation member 800 from coming off toward the base-end side in the longitudinal direction. When fitting the base-end tubular member 900 onto the controller housing 200, it is preferable to insert the base-end tubular member 900 into the base end of the controller housing 200 after inserting the rotation operation member 800 into the base end of the controller housing 200.

[0111] A recessed groove 910 is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the base-side tubular member 900 at a position where the threaded connecting member 550 is disposed, the recessed groove 910 extending in the longitudinal direction and recessed toward the outer periphery. The recessed groove 910 forms a space that accommodates the threaded connecting member 550 when the threaded connecting member 550 moves back and forth in the longitudinal direction. The threaded connecting member 550 is not hindered from moving back and forth by the base-side tubular member 900, and can move back and forth in the longitudinal direction within the recessed groove 910 without coming into contact with the base-side tubular member 900.

[0112] FIG. 11 is a partially exploded perspective view showing a partially assembled state of the deflection operation device 100 according to this embodiment.

[0113] The partially exploded perspective view of FIG. 11 shows the state in which the top cover part 320 and the inner cover part 360 are placed one on top of the other, and the first rack member 500, the second rack member 600, and the pinion member 700 are arranged on the base 400.

[0114] 11, the top lid portion 320 and the inner lid portion 360 overlap each other to form the lid body 300. The tubular member 10 is inserted between the top lid portion 320 and the inner lid portion 360 so as to be sandwiched between them. The proximal end 10b of the tubular member 10 is inserted into the through-hole 253 of the connecting member 250 from the tip side in the longitudinal direction and fixed therein.

[0115] 11 , a first rack member 500 and a second rack member 600 are disposed on the base 400. The rack main body 510 of the first rack member 500 is disposed so as to be able to move back and forth in the longitudinal direction within the first guide groove 421, and the rack main body 610 of the second rack member 600 is disposed so as to be able to move back and forth in the longitudinal direction within the second guide groove 422. At this time, the threaded coupling member 550 provided integrally with the first rack member 500 is disposed so as to protrude laterally from the base 400.

[0116] Furthermore, a pinion member 700 is disposed between the first rack member 500 and the second rack member 600. A gear portion 710 of the pinion member 700 meshes with both the toothed portion 520 of the first rack member 500 and the toothed portion 620 of the second rack member 600. When the first rack member 500 is displaced toward the base end in the longitudinal direction, the pinion member 700 rotates and the second rack member 600 is displaced toward the tip end in the longitudinal direction, and when the first rack member 500 is displaced toward the tip end in the longitudinal direction, the pinion member 700 rotates and the second rack member 600 is displaced toward the base end in the longitudinal direction.

[0117] Fig. 12 is a side view of the deflection operation device 100 in this embodiment, as seen from the side where the threaded connection member 550 is arranged. In Fig. 12, the rotation operation member 800 and the base-end side tubular member 900 are indicated by dotted lines, and the inside state of the rotation operation member 800 and the base-end side tubular member 900 is shown through the view.

[0118] When the cover 300 and the base 400 are placed on top of each other in the state shown in FIG. 11, the cover 300 and the base 400 are placed on top of each other to form the cylindrical controller housing 200 as shown in FIG.

[0119] Rotation operation member 800 is inserted from the base end side in the longitudinal direction of controller housing 200, and while rotating rotation operation member 800, spiral groove 810 formed on the inner circumferential surface of rotation operation member 800 is screwed into spiral groove 560 of threaded coupling member 550. Then, after moving rotation operation member 800 to a position where the tip end surface of rotation operation member 800 abuts against the base end surfaces of enlarged diameter portions 324, 364, 404 and the base end surfaces of rib portions 369, 406, base end side tubular member 900 is inserted from the base end side in the longitudinal direction of controller housing 200 and fixed to controller housing 200 with screws or the like. The base-end tubular member 900 is fixed at a position where its tip surface abuts the base-end surface of the rotation operating member 800, so that the rotation operating member 800 is sandwiched between the enlarged diameter portions 324, 364, 404 and the base-end tubular member 900 and can rotate without shifting in the longitudinal direction.

[0120] As shown in FIG. 12 , an opening 230 is formed between the slide guide groove 370 of the inner lid portion 360 and the slide guide groove 407 of the base 400. The threaded coupling member 550, which is integral with the first rack member 500, is led out of the controller housing 200 through this opening 230. The threaded coupling member 550 is sandwiched between the recessed groove 369a and the slide guide groove 370 formed in the rib portion 369 of the inner lid portion 360 and the recessed groove 406a and the slide guide groove 407 formed in the rib portion 406 of the base 400, and is capable of reciprocating displacement in the longitudinal direction. The threaded coupling member 550 is covered by the rotation operation member 800 and the base-end tubular member 900, and cannot be directly touched from the outside.

[0121] Next, the operation of the deflection operation device 100 during use will be described with reference to Figs. 13 to 15. Figs. 13 to 15 are first to third plan views, respectively, of the deflection operation device 100 according to this embodiment. In Figs. 13 to 15, in order to explain the operation of the deflection operation device 100, the tubular member 10 is cut near the inclined portion 411a, and the cover body 300 and the connecting member 250 are shown in a see-through manner (not shown). Furthermore, the rotation operation member 800 and the base-end side cylindrical member 900 are shown in cross section along the top surface of the base 400.

[0122] First, we will explain the insertion state of the first operation wire W1 and the second operation wire W2 inside the controller housing 200. The tubular member 10 is inserted from the sleeve portion 210 and extends inside the controller housing 200 to the proximal side in the longitudinal direction, and its proximal end 10b is fixed to the connecting member 250.

[0123] A wire insertion section 240, through which the first operation wire W1 and the second operation wire W2 are inserted, is provided on the longitudinal tip side inside the controller housing 200. The wire insertion section 240 is configured to allow the first operation wire W1 and the second operation wire W2 to branch off, and is configured to include a wire insertion groove 412 and a wire insertion groove 413. For example, by opening the wire lumens 11a, 11b, 12a, 12b near the wire insertion grooves 412, 413 and leading the first operation wire W1 (operation wires W1a, W1b) and the second operation wire W2 (operation wires W2a, W2b) to the outside of the tubular member 10, the first operation wire W1 and the second operation wire W2 can be inserted into the wire insertion groove 412 and the wire insertion groove 413, respectively.

[0124] The first operation wire W1 passes through the wire insertion groove 412, is guided by the first rack member 500 arranged in the first guide groove 421, and is fixed to the wire fixing portion 530. The second operation wire W2 passes through the wire insertion groove 413, is guided by the second rack member 600 arranged in the second guide groove 422, and is fixed to the wire fixing portion 630.

[0125] In FIG. 13, the first rack member 500 and the second rack member 600 are positioned in symmetrical neutral positions (neutral state). In this neutral state, the first operation wire W1 and the second operation wire W2 are both adjusted so that they are not loose and are under tension. At this time, the movable portion 20 of the tubular member 10 is extended straight without deflection. As described above, the tension of the first operation wire W1 and the second operation wire W2 can be adjusted by inserting the tip of a tool such as a screwdriver through the tool insertion grooves 431 and 432 and tightening or loosening the bolts 592 and 692 while moving the metal tubes 580 and 680 and the first operation wire W1 and the second operation wire W2 in the longitudinal direction, respectively.

[0126] The threaded coupling member 550, which is provided integrally with the first rack member 500, is exposed to the outside of the controller housing 200 through the opening 230. A spiral groove 810 formed on the inner circumferential surface of the rotation operation member 800 and a spiral groove 560 of the threaded coupling member 550, which is provided integrally with the first rack member 500, are configured to be threadably engaged with each other. The rotational force of the rotation operation member 800 is converted into a translational force of the threaded coupling member 550 in the longitudinal direction relative to the rotation operation member 800 by the threaded engagement between the spiral groove 810 of the rotation operation member 800 and the spiral groove 560 of the threaded coupling member 550. Since longitudinal displacement of the rotation operation member 800 is restricted while it is sandwiched between the enlarged diameter portions 324, 364 and the base-end cylindrical member 900, when the rotation operation member 800 is rotated, the rotation operation member 800 does not displace in the longitudinal direction, but the threaded coupling member 550 and the first rack member 500 displace in the longitudinal direction relatively. Furthermore, the displacement of the first rack member 500 is transmitted to the second rack member 600 via the pinion member 700, and the second rack member 600 displaces in the opposite direction to the first rack member 500.

[0127] Here, it is assumed that when the rotation operation member 800 is rotated in rotation direction R1, the threaded coupling member 550 and the first rack member 500 are displaced toward the base end in the longitudinal direction, and when the rotation operation member 800 is rotated in rotation direction R2, the threaded coupling member 550 and the first rack member 500 are displaced toward the tip end in the longitudinal direction. However, the relationship between the rotation directions R1, R2 and the displacement directions of the threaded coupling member 550 and the first rack member 500 is not particularly limited.

[0128] A case where the rotation operation member 800 of the deflection operation device 100 is rotated in the rotation direction R1 will be described with reference to Fig. 14. Fig. 14 illustrates a state where the rotation operation member 800 is rotated in the rotation direction R1.

[0129] When the rotation operation member 800 is rotated in the rotation direction R1, the helical groove 810 of the rotation operation member 800 and the helical groove 560 of the threaded coupling member 550 threadably engage with each other, displacing the threaded coupling member 550 and the first rack member 500 toward the base end in the longitudinal direction, as shown in Fig. 14. At this time, the gear portion 710 of the pinion member 700 meshes with the toothed portion 520 of the first rack member 500, causing the pinion member 700 to rotate. The rotation of the pinion member 700 is transmitted to the second rack member 600 via the meshing of the gear portion 710 with the toothed portion 620, and the second rack member 600 is displaced in the opposite direction, toward the tip end in the longitudinal direction, as shown in Fig. 14.

[0130] When the threaded coupling member 550 and the first rack member 500 are displaced toward the base end in the longitudinal direction in conjunction with the rotation of the rotation operation member 800 in the rotation direction R1 in this way, the first operation wire W1 fixed to the wire fixing portion 530 of the first rack member 500 is pulled toward the proximal side (the base end in the longitudinal direction), and a tensile force toward the proximal side acts on the engagement point (the folded intermediate portion W1c) of the first operation wire W1 on the distal tip 50. As a result, by displacing the first operation wire W1 in the deflection operation direction of the movable part 20 of the tubular member 10, it is possible to deflect the movable part 20 toward the side where the recessed portion 56 of the distal tip 50 is located (the direction of arrow α shown in FIG. 4).

[0131] The greater the amount of rotation of the rotation operation member 800 in the rotation direction R1, the further the first rack member 500 can be displaced toward the base end in the longitudinal direction. The first operation wire W1 is pulled further toward the base end in the longitudinal direction as the first rack member 500 is displaced, and the tensile force acting on the engagement point of the first operation wire W1 toward the proximal side also increases, allowing the movable part 20 of the tubular member 10 to be deflected even more in the direction of arrow α. In this way, by appropriately changing the amount of rotation of the rotation operation member 800 in the rotation direction R1, the amount of deflection (deflection angle) of the movable part 20 in the direction of arrow α can be adjusted to a desired deflection amount.

[0132] The first rack member 500 and the threaded coupling member 550 are subjected to tension in the first operation wire W1 fixed to the wire fixing portion 530 of the first rack member 500, and a force acts on them to return them to the distal end in the longitudinal direction. However, the spiral groove 560 of the threaded coupling member 550 and the spiral groove 810 of the rotation operation member 800 are threadedly engaged with each other at a predetermined angle relative to the longitudinal direction. Therefore, the rotation operation member 800 is not rotated by the force that returns the threaded coupling member 550 to the distal end in the longitudinal direction, and even if the user releases his or her hand from the rotation operation member 800, the first rack member 500 and the threaded coupling member 550 maintain their positions, and the deflection direction of the movable part 20 is maintained.

[0133] When the first rack member 500 is displaced toward the base end in the longitudinal direction and the movable part 20 of the tubular member 10 is deflected in a predetermined deflection direction (the direction of arrow α shown in FIG. 4 ) and the rotation operation member 800 is rotated in the rotation direction R2, the first rack member 500 is displaced so as to return to the tip end in the longitudinal direction. Furthermore, the displacement of the first rack member 500 rotates the pinion member 700, and the second rack member 600 is displaced so as to return to the base end in the longitudinal direction. At this time, the tensile force of the first operation wire W1 toward the proximal side (the base end in the longitudinal direction) weakens, and the amount of deflection of the movable part 20 in the predetermined deflection direction (the direction of arrow α shown in FIG. 4 ) decreases. When the first rack member 500 and the second rack member 600 are returned to their neutral state, where they are positioned symmetrically at neutral positions, the movable part 20 can be returned to a straight, extended state without deflection.

[0134] A case where the rotation operation member 800 of the deflection operation device 100 is rotated in the rotation direction R2 will be described with reference to Fig. 15. Fig. 15 illustrates a state where the rotation operation member 800 is rotated in the rotation direction R2.

[0135] When the rotation operation member 800 is rotated in the rotation direction R2, the helical groove 810 of the rotation operation member 800 threadably engages with the helical groove 560 of the threadable coupling member 550, displacing the threadable coupling member 550 and the first rack member 500 toward the distal end in the longitudinal direction, as shown in Fig. 15. At this time, the gear portion 710 of the pinion member 700 meshes with the toothed portion 520 of the first rack member 500, causing the pinion member 700 to rotate. The rotation of the pinion member 700 is transmitted to the second rack member 600 via the meshing of the gear portion 710 with the toothed portion 620, and the second rack member 600 is displaced in the opposite direction, toward the proximal end in the longitudinal direction, as shown in Fig. 15.

[0136] When the second rack member 600 is displaced toward the base end in the longitudinal direction in conjunction with the rotation of the rotation operation member 800 in the rotation direction R2 in this way, the second operation wire W2 fixed to the wire fixing portion 630 of the second rack member 600 is pulled toward the proximal side (the base end in the longitudinal direction), and a tensile force toward the proximal side acts on the engagement point (folded intermediate portion W2c) of the second operation wire W2 on the distal tip 50. As a result, by displacing the second operation wire W2 in the deflection operation direction of the movable part 20 of the tubular member 10, it is possible to deflect the movable part 20 toward the side where the recessed portion 57 of the distal tip 50 is located (the direction of arrow β shown in FIG. 4).

[0137] The greater the amount of rotation of the rotation operation member 800 in the rotation direction R2, the further the second rack member 600 can be displaced toward the base end in the longitudinal direction. The second operation wire W2 is pulled further toward the base end in the longitudinal direction as the second rack member 600 is displaced, and the tensile force acting on the engagement point of the second operation wire W2 toward the proximal side also increases, allowing the movable part 20 of the tubular member 10 to be deflected even more in the direction of arrow β. In this way, by appropriately changing the amount of rotation of the rotation operation member 800 in the rotation direction R2, the amount of deflection (deflection angle) of the movable part 20 in the direction of arrow β can be adjusted to a desired deflection amount.

[0138] The second rack member 600 is subjected to a force tending to return toward the distal end in the longitudinal direction due to the tension of the second operation wire W2 fixed to the wire fixing portion 630 of the second rack member 600. This force tending to return the second rack member 600 toward the distal end in the longitudinal direction is transmitted to the first rack member 500 via the pinion member 700, and a force tending to return the first rack member 500 and the threaded connecting member 550 toward the proximal end in the longitudinal direction acts on the first rack member 500 and the threaded connecting member 550. However, the spiral groove 560 of the threaded connecting member 550 and the spiral groove 810 of the rotation operation member 800 are threadedly engaged with each other at a predetermined angle relative to the longitudinal direction. Therefore, the force of the threaded connecting member 550 returning to the base end in the longitudinal direction will not cause the rotation operating member 800 to rotate, and even if the user releases the rotation operating member 800, the first rack member 500 and the threaded connecting member 550 will maintain their positions, and the second rack member 600 will also maintain its position, so that the deflection direction of the movable part 20 will be maintained.

[0139] When the second rack member 600 is displaced toward the base end in the longitudinal direction and the movable part 20 of the tubular member 10 is deflected in a predetermined deflection direction (the direction of arrow β shown in FIG. 4 ), if the rotation operation member 800 is rotated in the rotation direction R1, the first rack member 500 is displaced so as to return to the base end in the longitudinal direction. Furthermore, the displacement of the first rack member 500 rotates the pinion member 700, and the second rack member 600 is displaced so as to return to the tip end in the longitudinal direction. At this time, the tensile force of the second operation wire W2 toward the proximal side (the base end in the longitudinal direction) weakens, and the amount of deflection of the movable part 20 in the predetermined deflection direction (the direction of arrow β shown in FIG. 4 ) decreases. When the first rack member 500 and the second rack member 600 are returned to their neutral state, where they are positioned symmetrically at neutral positions, the movable part 20 can be returned to a straight, extended state without deflection.

[0140] In the deflection operation device 100 of this embodiment, the rotation operation member 800 and the threaded connecting member 550 constitute a power transmission mechanism that converts the rotational force of the rotation operation member 800 into a translational movement force in the longitudinal direction of the first rack member 500 and the second rack member 600. The deflection operation device 100 is able to convert the rotational force generated by the rotation of the rotation operation member 800 into a translational movement force that displaces the threaded connecting member 550 and the first rack member 500 in the longitudinal direction by threading the spiral groove 810 of the rotation operation member 800 into a translational movement force that displaces the threaded connecting member 550 and the first rack member 500 in the longitudinal direction.

[0141] Furthermore, the first rack member 500, the second rack member 600, and the pinion member 700 also constitute a power transmission mechanism, and when the first rack member 500 is displaced in the longitudinal direction, the pinion member 700 causes the second rack member 600 to be displaced in the opposite direction to the first rack member 500. As a result, when the rotation operation member 800 is rotated in a predetermined rotation direction, either the first rack member 500 or the second rack member 600 is displaced toward the base end in the longitudinal direction, and the first operation wire W1 and the second operation wire W2 can be displaced in the deflection operation direction of the movable portion 20.

[0142] A marker may be attached to the outer peripheral surface of the rotation operation member 800, and when the marker is at a predetermined position in the circumferential direction, it may indicate that the movable part 20 of the tubular member 10 is in a neutral state, or the angle or number of rotations (number of revolutions) by which the rotation operation member 800 has been rotated may be indicated, making it possible to grasp the deflection state of the movable part 20. Furthermore, the controller housing 200 may be made transparent or semi-transparent so that the positions of the first rack member 500, the second rack member 600 and the threaded connecting member 550 can be grasped.

[0143] (Second embodiment) A medical device 1A including a deflection operation device 100A for medical equipment (hereinafter referred to as deflection operation device 100A) according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the following, the same components as those in the first embodiment described above will be assigned the same reference numerals, and their description will be omitted or simplified.

[0144] Similar to the deflection operation device 100 in the first embodiment described above, the deflection operation device 100A in the second embodiment of the present invention is configured so that a user can operate a movable part 20 located at the distal end of a tubular member 10 constituting a medical device in a deflectable manner by rotating a rotation operation member 800A. By attaching the deflection operation device 100A in place of the deflection operation device 100 of the first embodiment described above, the first operation wire W1 and the second operation wire W2 attached to the distal end of the tubular member 10 can be displaced in the longitudinal direction along the extension direction thereof to deflect the movable part 20 of the tubular member 10.

[0145] The configuration of a deflection operation device 100A according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0146] Fig. 16 is a perspective view of the deflection operation device 100A in this embodiment. Fig. 17 is an exploded perspective view of the deflection operation device 100A in this embodiment.

[0147] As shown in the perspective view of Fig. 16, the deflection operation device 100A extends in the longitudinal direction as a whole and includes a controller housing 200A and a rotation operation member 800A. A sleeve portion 210 is provided at the longitudinal tip of the deflection operation device 100A, and a tubular member 10 is inserted into the controller housing 200A from the sleeve portion 210. The controller housing 200A forms the housing of the deflection operation device 100A.

[0148] The rotation operation member 800A is rotatably arranged on the side of the controller housing 200A, with its longitudinal tip end protected by the rotation shaft protection portion 260A and its longitudinal base end supported by the rotation shaft support portion 270A. While holding the controller housing 200A, the user can rotate the rotation operation member 800A arranged on the side of the controller housing 200A, and can deflect the movable portion 20 of the tubular member 10 by rotating the rotation operation member 800A in one rotation direction R1 or the other rotation direction R2. The rotation operation member 800A is arranged so that its rotation axis S1 coincides with the longitudinal direction. A connecting member 250 is provided at the longitudinal base end of the deflection operation device 100A.

[0149] As shown in the exploded perspective view of FIG. 17, the deflection operation device 100A is composed of a connecting member 250, an upper cover portion 320A, an inner cover portion 360A, a base 400A, a first rack member 500A, a second rack member 600A, a pinion member 700, a rotation operation member 800A, and an engaging coupling member 850A. The upper cover portion 320A and the inner cover portion 360A overlap each other to form a cover body 300A, and the cover body 300A and the base 400A overlap each other to form a controller housing 200A. The deflection operation device 100A can be assembled by combining these components. Each component can be made of, but is not limited to, a polymer material, for example.

[0150] The configuration of each member of the deflection operation device 100A in this embodiment will be described below.

[0151] The same connecting member 250 as that of the deflection operation device 100 in the first embodiment described above can be used. To the connecting member 250, the proximal end 10b of the tubular member 10 is fixed.

[0152] 18A and 18B are perspective views of the upper cover 320A of the deflection operation device 100A in this embodiment, where (a) is a perspective view of the upper cover 320A seen from above, and (b) is a perspective view of the upper cover 320A seen from below.

[0153] The upper lid portion 320A has a configuration substantially similar to that of the upper lid portion 320 in the first embodiment described above, except that the expanded diameter portion 324 is not provided, and as shown in Figures 18(a) and 18(b), on the longitudinal base end side of the curved portion 322, a straight body portion 323A extends to the longitudinal base end of the upper lid portion 320A.

[0154] 19A and 19B are perspective views of an inner lid portion 360A of a deflection operation device 100A in this embodiment, where (a) is a perspective view of the inner lid portion 360A seen from above, and (b) is a perspective view of the inner lid portion 360A seen from below.

[0155] The inner lid portion 360A is composed of a flat plate member 361A extending in the longitudinal direction. The flat plate member 361A has a configuration substantially similar to that of the flat plate member 361 of the inner lid portion 360 in the first embodiment described above. However, the expanded diameter portion 364, the rib portion 369, and the slide guide groove 370 are not provided, and as shown in Figures 19(a) and (b), the flat plate member 361A extends to the base end in the longitudinal direction with a uniform width in the longitudinal direction.

[0156] An upper protective member 381A protruding laterally is provided integrally with the flat plate member 361A of the inner lid portion 360A at the tip end in the longitudinal direction of one side wall 362 of the inner lid portion 360A (the side on which the rotation operation member 800A is disposed). The upper protective member 381A is formed of a semi-cylindrical member extending in the longitudinal direction, and as shown in Figure 19(b), a semi-cylindrical surface 382A is formed on the lower surface of the upper protective member 381A.

[0157] 19(b), a bearing portion 383A is formed at the longitudinal tip end of the upper protective member 381A, and a bearing portion 384A is formed at the longitudinal base end thereof. The bearing portions 383A and 384A each have a groove with a substantially semicircular cross section.

[0158] Upper protective member 381A overlaps with lower protective member 481A (see FIG. 20) of opposing base 400A to form rotating shaft protection portion 260A. A space for accommodating rotating shaft 820A and engaging connecting member 850A of rotating operation member 800A is formed between semi-cylindrical surface 382A of upper protective member 381A and semi-cylindrical surface 482A of lower protective member 481A (see FIG. 20). Furthermore, bearing portions 383A and 384A of upper protective member 381A overlap with bearing portions 483A and 484A of lower protective member 481A, thereby rotatably supporting distal end narrow diameter portion 821A (see FIG. 22) and proximal end narrow diameter portion 822A (see FIG. 22), respectively, of rotating shaft 820A of rotating operation member 800A. The rotating shaft member 820A and the engaging connecting member 850A fitted onto the rotating shaft member 820A are covered with a rotating shaft member protecting portion 260A, and cannot be directly touched from the outside.

[0159] Tool insertion holes 385A for inserting the tip of a tool such as a screwdriver are formed on the side surface of the upper protective member 381A. As a result, even when the first rack member 500A is stored in the controller housing 200A, the bolts 592 that constitute the wire fixing portion 530 of the first rack member 500A can be tightened or loosened by inserting the tip of a tool such as a screwdriver through the tool insertion holes 385A.

[0160] Furthermore, on one side wall 362 of the inner lid portion 360A (the side on which the rotation operation member 800A is arranged), an upper support member 391A is provided on the longitudinal base end side, protruding laterally, integrally with the flat plate member 361A of the inner lid portion 360A. A bearing portion 392A is formed on the upper support member 391A. The bearing portion 392A has a groove with a substantially semicircular cross section.

[0161] The upper support member 391A overlaps with the opposing lower support member 491A (see FIG. 20) of the base 400A to form the rotating shaft support portion 270A. The rotating shaft support portion 270A rotatably supports the base end rotating shaft portion 830A (see FIG. 22) of the rotating operation member 800A, and also functions to prevent the rotating operation member 800A from coming off towards the base end in the longitudinal direction.

[0162] FIG. 20 is a perspective view of the base 400A in this embodiment.

[0163] The base 400A has substantially the same configuration as the base 400 in the first embodiment described above. However, the expanded diameter portion 404, the rib portion 406, and the slide guide groove 407 are not provided, and as shown in Fig. 20, on the longitudinal base end side of the curved portion 402, a straight body portion 403A extends to the longitudinal base end of the base 400A. Furthermore, a lower protection member 481A and a lower support member 491A are provided at positions facing the upper protection member 381A and the upper support member 391A of the inner lid portion 360A described above.

[0164] Lower protection member 481A is provided integrally with base 400A on one side wall 400a (the side on which rotation operation member 800A is arranged) of base 400A so as to protrude laterally. Lower protection member 481A is made up of a semi-cylindrical member extending in the longitudinal direction, and as shown in Fig. 20, a semi-cylindrical surface 482A is formed on the lower surface of lower protection member 481A.

[0165] 20, bearing portion 483A is formed at the longitudinal tip end of lower protective member 481A, and bearing portion 484A is formed at the longitudinal base end. Bearing portion 483A and bearing portion 484A each have a groove with a substantially semicircular cross section. As described above, lower protective member 481A overlaps with upper protective member 381A of the opposing inner lid portion 360A to form rotating shaft protective portion 260A.

[0166] Furthermore, a lower support member 491A protruding laterally is integrally provided on one side wall 400a of the base 400A (the side on which the rotation operation member 800A is arranged) at the base end in the longitudinal direction. A bearing portion 492A is formed on the lower support member 491A. Each bearing portion 492A has a groove with a substantially semicircular cross section. As described above, the lower support member 491A overlaps with the upper support member 391A of the opposing inner lid portion 360A to form the rotation shaft support portion 270A.

[0167] 21A and 21B are plan views of the first rack member 500A and the second rack member 600A in this embodiment, with (a) being a plan view of the first rack member 500A and (b) being a plan view of the second rack member 600A. In FIGS. 21A and 21B, the first operating wire W1 and the second operating wire W2 are respectively fixed to the wire fixing portion 530 of the first rack member 500A and the wire fixing portion 630 of the second rack member 600A. Also, in FIGS. 21A and 21B, the screw portions 590 and 690 are shown in cross section.

[0168] The first rack member 500A and the second rack member 600A have substantially the same configuration as the first rack member 500 and the second rack member 600 in the first embodiment described above, and are capable of fixing the first operation wire W1 and the second operation wire W2, respectively, at the wire fixing portion 530 and the wire fixing portion 630. However, the first rack member 500A is not provided with a threaded coupling member 550, and instead has an engaging member insertion hole 570A as shown by the dotted line in Figure 21(a).

[0169] The engaging member insertion hole 570A is provided on the outer side surface 511 of the rack main body 510A. The engaging member insertion hole 570A has an opening on the side surface 511 and is formed to enter the inside of the rack main body 510A. An engaging protrusion 855A (see FIG. 22) of an engaging connecting member 850A (described later) can be inserted into the engaging member insertion hole 570A, whereby the first rack member 500A and the engaging connecting member 850A engage with each other, and the first rack member 500A and the engaging connecting member 850A can be displaced back and forth in the longitudinal direction as a unit.

[0170] FIG. 22 is a perspective view of a rotation operation member 800A and an engagement connecting member 850A according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0171] 22, the rotation operation member 800A is made up of an operation handle portion 810A, a rotating shaft member 820A, and a base-end rotating shaft portion 830A. The operation handle portion 810A, the rotating shaft member 820A, and the base-end rotating shaft portion 830A are integrated together, and when the operation handle portion 810A is rotated, the rotating shaft member 820A and the base-end rotating shaft portion 830A rotate in conjunction with the operation handle portion 810A.

[0172] The operating handle portion 810A is made of a cylindrical member formed in a substantially cylindrical shape. Furthermore, the operating handle portion 810A has a plurality of fine slits 811A formed in the axial direction over the entire outer circumferential surface thereof. By providing the slits 811A on the outer circumferential surface of the operating handle portion 810A in this way, slippage during rotation of the operating handle portion 810A can be reduced.

[0173] A substantially cylindrical rotating shaft member 820A is provided on the longitudinal tip side of the operating handle portion 810A. The rotating shaft member 820A extends from the tip surface of the operating handle portion 810A toward the longitudinal tip side so as to be aligned in the same axial direction as the operating handle portion 810A.

[0174] The rotating shaft member 820A is configured to have a distal end thin diameter portion 821A, a proximal end thin diameter portion 822A, and a thick diameter portion 823A. The distal end thin diameter portion 821A, the thick diameter portion 823A, and the proximal end thin diameter portion 822A are arranged in this order from the distal end in the longitudinal direction, and the proximal end surface of the proximal end thin diameter portion 822A is fixed to the distal end surface of the operating handle portion 810A. The distal end thin diameter portion 821A, the thick diameter portion 823A, and the proximal end thin diameter portion 822A are all configured by cylindrical members formed into a substantially cylindrical shape. It is preferable that the thick diameter portion 823A is thinner than the operating handle portion 810A, and that the distal end thin diameter portion 821A and the proximal end thin diameter portion 822A are thinner than the thick diameter portion 823A.

[0175] A spiral groove 824A is formed on the outer peripheral surface (cylindrical surface) of the cylindrical member that forms the large diameter portion 823A. The spiral groove 824A formed in the rotation operation member 800A constitutes the first screw groove of the present invention.

[0176] Spiral groove 824A of large diameter portion 823A is set to a shape that screws into spiral groove 854A of engagement connecting member 850A, which will be described later, and can be set appropriately to match the angle and pitch (longitudinal length associated with the rotation period) of spiral groove 854A. Furthermore, since the amount of displacement of the operation wire when rotation operation member 800A is rotated relative to controller housing 200A is determined by the angle and pitch of spiral groove 824A and spiral groove 854A, it is preferable to set the angle and pitch of spiral groove 824A and spiral groove 854A in consideration of operability for the user.

[0177] When deflection operation device 100A is assembled, large-diameter portion 823A is accommodated in the space formed between semi-cylindrical surface 382A of upper protective member 381A and semi-cylindrical surface 482A of lower protective member 481A. Operation handle portion 810A is disposed between rotating shaft member protecting portion 260A formed by upper protective member 381A and lower protective member 481A, and rotating shaft member supporting portion 270A formed by upper support member 391A and lower support member 491A. Furthermore, distal-side small-diameter portion 821A is sandwiched between bearing portions 383A and 483A, proximal-side small-diameter portion 822A is sandwiched between bearing portions 384A and 484A, and proximal-side rotating shaft portion 830A is sandwiched between bearing portions 392A and 492A, so that rotating operation member 800A can rotate without being displaced in the longitudinal direction.

[0178] 22, engaging connection member 850A is made up of a cylindrical portion 851A and an engaging protrusion 855A. Cylindrical portion 851A and engaging protrusion 855A are integral with each other. Engaging connection member 850A constitutes the connecting member of the present invention.

[0179] Cylindrical portion 851A is configured by a cylindrical member formed in a cylindrical (ring-like) shape. A through-hole 852A is formed inside cylindrical portion 851A, penetrating in the longitudinal direction. A spiral groove 854A is formed on the inner peripheral surface of through-hole 852A, and is set to screw into spiral groove 824A formed on the outer peripheral surface of large-diameter portion 823A of rotation operation member 800A. Spiral groove 854A formed in engagement connecting member 850A constitutes a second screw-engagement groove of the present invention.

[0180] The through hole 852A of the cylindrical portion 851A is designed so that the rotating shaft member 820A of the rotating operation member 800A can be inserted therein, and when the deflection operation device 100A is assembled, the cylindrical portion 851A is fitted onto the rotating shaft member 820A of the rotating operation member 800A so as to screw into the thick diameter portion 823A of the rotating shaft member 820A.

[0181] Engagement protrusion 855A is configured by a plate-like member that protrudes from the outer peripheral surface of tubular portion 851A. Here, engagement protrusion 855A protrudes vertically (radially) from the outer peripheral surface of tubular portion 851A, is connected to base 856A that is slightly bent, and extends so as to be slightly offset from the radial direction. However, this configuration is not limited thereto, and engagement protrusion 855A may be provided in any manner as long as it protrudes from the outer peripheral surface of tubular portion 851A.

[0182] The plate-like member constituting the engaging protrusion 855A is set to a size and shape that allows it to be inserted into the engaging member insertion hole 570A of the first rack member 500A. When the engaging protrusion 855A is inserted into the engaging member insertion hole 570A, the first rack member 500A and the engaging connecting member 850A engage with each other, and the first rack member 500A and the engaging connecting member 850A become integrally displaceable back and forth in the longitudinal direction.

[0183] FIG. 23 is a partially exploded perspective view showing a partially assembled state of the deflection operation device 100A in this embodiment.

[0184] 23 shows a state in which top cover part 320A and inner cover part 360A are placed on top of each other, and first rack member 500A, second rack member 600A, pinion member 700, and rotation operation member 800A are arranged on base 400A. An engagement connecting member 850A is attached to rotation operation member 800A, and an engagement protrusion 855A of engagement connecting member 850A is inserted into an engagement member insertion hole 570A of first rack member 500A.

[0185] 23, the top cover part 320A and the middle cover part 360A overlap each other to form the cover body 300A. The tubular member 10 is inserted between the top cover part 320A and the middle cover part 360A so as to be sandwiched between them. The proximal end 10b of the tubular member 10 is inserted into the through-hole 253 of the connecting member 250 from the longitudinal tip side and fixed therein.

[0186] 23, a first rack member 500A and a second rack member 600A are disposed on a base 400A. A rack main body 510A of the first rack member 500A is disposed so as to be able to move back and forth in the longitudinal direction within a first guide groove 421, and a rack main body 610A of the second rack member 600A is disposed so as to be able to move back and forth in the longitudinal direction within a second guide groove 422.

[0187] With the engaging connection member 850A fitted onto the outside of the rotation operation member 800A, the engaging protrusion 855A is inserted into the engaging member insertion hole 570A of the first rack member 500A. The spiral groove 854A of the engaging connection member 850A is threadedly engaged with the spiral groove 824A formed on the outer peripheral surface of the rotation shaft member 820A of the rotation operation member 800A. As a result, when the operation handle portion 810A of the rotation operation member 800A is turned, the rotation shaft member 820A turns integrally with the operation handle portion 810A, and the engaging connection member 850A can be displaced in the longitudinal direction via the threaded engagement between the spiral groove 824A of the rotation shaft member 820A and the spiral groove 854A of the engaging connection member 850A, and the first rack member 500A engaged with the engaging connection member 850A can be displaced in the longitudinal direction. The rotation operation member 800A is sandwiched between the rotation shaft member protection portion 260A and the rotation shaft member support portion 270A of the controller housing 200A so as not to shift in the longitudinal direction.

[0188] Furthermore, a pinion member 700 is disposed between the first rack member 500A and the second rack member 600A. A gear portion 710 of the pinion member 700 meshes with both the toothed portion 520 of the first rack member 500A and the toothed portion 620 of the second rack member 600A. When the first rack member 500A is displaced toward the base end in the longitudinal direction, the pinion member 700 rotates and the second rack member 600A is displaced toward the tip end in the longitudinal direction, and when the first rack member 500A is displaced toward the tip end in the longitudinal direction, the pinion member 700 rotates and the second rack member 600A is displaced toward the base end in the longitudinal direction.

[0189] Next, the operation of the deflection operation device 100A during use will be described with reference to Figs. 24 to 26. Figs. 24 to 26 are first to third plan views, respectively, of the deflection operation device 100A according to this embodiment. In Figs. 24 to 26, in order to explain the operation of the deflection operation device 100A, the tubular member 10 is cut near the inclined portion 411a, and the lid body 300A and the connecting member 250 are shown in a see-through manner (not shown).

[0190] The insertion state of the first operation wire W1 and the second operation wire W2 inside the controller housing 200A is the same as in the first embodiment described above. The first operation wire W1 and the second operation wire W2 branch off at the wire insertion portion 240. The first operation wire W1 passes through the wire insertion groove 412, is guided by the first rack member 500A arranged in the first guide groove 421, and is fixed to the wire fixing portion 530. The second operation wire W2 passes through the wire insertion groove 413, is guided by the second rack member 600A arranged in the second guide groove 422, and is fixed to the wire fixing portion 630.

[0191] In FIG. 24, the first rack member 500A and the second rack member 600A are positioned in symmetrical neutral positions (neutral state). In this neutral state, the first operation wire W1 and the second operation wire W2 are both adjusted so that they are not loosened and are under tension. At this time, the movable portion 20 of the tubular member 10 is extended straight without deflection. The tension of the first operation wire W1 and the second operation wire W2 can be adjusted by inserting the tip of a tool such as a screwdriver through the tool insertion hole 385A and the tool insertion groove 432 and tightening or loosening the bolts 592 and 692 while moving the metal tubes 580 and 680 and the first operation wire W1 and the second operation wire W2 in the longitudinal direction, respectively.

[0192] An engagement connecting member 850A that engages with the first rack member 500A is fitted onto the outside of a turning shaft 820A of the turning operation member 800A inside the turning shaft protecting portion 260A, and an engagement protrusion 855A is inserted into an engagement member insertion hole 570A of the first rack member 500A. A spiral groove 824A formed on the outer peripheral surface of the turning shaft 820A of the turning operation member 800A and a spiral groove 854A formed on the inner peripheral surface of the engagement connecting member 850A are configured to threadably engage with each other. The turning force of the turning operation member 800A is converted into a translational force in the longitudinal direction of the engagement connecting member 850A relative to the turning operation member 800A by the threaded engagement between the spiral groove 824A of the turning operation member 800A and the spiral groove 854A of the engagement connecting member 850A. Since longitudinal displacement of rotation operation member 800A is restricted while sandwiched between rotating shaft protection portion 260A and rotating shaft support portion 270A of controller housing 200A, when rotation operation member 800A is rotated, rotation operation member 800A does not displace in the longitudinal direction, but rather engagement connection member 850A and first rack member 500A displace relatively in the longitudinal direction. Furthermore, the displacement of first rack member 500A is transmitted to second rack member 600A via pinion member 700, and second rack member 600A displaces in the opposite direction to first rack member 500A.

[0193] Here, it is assumed that when the rotation operation member 800A is rotated in rotation direction R1 (see FIG. 16), the engaging connection member 850A and the first rack member 500A are displaced toward the base end in the longitudinal direction, and when the rotation operation member 800A is rotated in rotation direction R2 (see FIG. 16), the engaging connection member 850A and the first rack member 500A are displaced toward the tip end in the longitudinal direction. However, the relationship between the rotation directions R1, R2 and the displacement directions of the engaging connection member 850A and the first rack member 500A is not particularly limited.

[0194] A case where the rotation operation member 800A of the deflection operation device 100A is rotated in the rotation direction R1 will be described with reference to Fig. 25. Fig. 25 shows a state where the rotation operation member 800A is rotated in the rotation direction R1.

[0195] When operating handle portion 810A of rotation operation member 800A is rotated in rotation direction R1, helical groove 824A of rotation operation member 800A threadably engages with helical groove 854A of engagement connection member 850A, displacing engagement connection member 850A and first rack member 500A toward the base end in the longitudinal direction, as shown in Fig. 25. At this time, gear portion 710 of pinion member 700 meshes with tooth portion 520 of first rack member 500A, causing pinion member 700 to rotate. The rotation of pinion member 700 is transmitted to second rack member 600A via the meshing of gear portion 710 with tooth portion 620, and second rack member 600A is displaced in the opposite direction, toward the tip end in the longitudinal direction, as shown in Fig. 25.

[0196] When the engaging connecting member 850A and the first rack member 500A are displaced toward the base end in the longitudinal direction in conjunction with the rotation of the rotation operation member 800A in the rotation direction R1 in this way, the first operation wire W1 fixed to the wire fixing portion 530 of the first rack member 500A is pulled toward the proximal side (the base end in the longitudinal direction), and a tensile force toward the proximal side acts on the engagement point (the folded intermediate portion W1c) of the first operation wire W1 on the distal tip 50. As a result, by displacing the first operation wire W1 in the deflection operation direction of the movable part 20 of the tubular member 10, it is possible to deflect the movable part 20 toward the side where the recessed portion 56 of the distal tip 50 is located (the direction of arrow α shown in FIG. 4).

[0197] The greater the amount of rotation of the rotation operation member 800A in the rotation direction R1, the further the first rack member 500A can be displaced toward the base end in the longitudinal direction. As the first rack member 500A is displaced, the first operation wire W1 is pulled further toward the base end in the longitudinal direction, and the tensile force acting on the engagement point of the first operation wire W1 toward the proximal side also increases, allowing the movable part 20 of the tubular member 10 to be deflected even more in the direction of arrow α. In this way, by appropriately changing the amount of rotation of the rotation operation member 800A in the rotation direction R1, the amount of deflection (deflection angle) of the movable part 20 in the direction of arrow α can be adjusted to a desired deflection amount.

[0198] The first rack member 500A and the engaging connecting member 850A are subjected to tension in the first operation wire W1 fixed to the wire fixing portion 530 of the first rack member 500A, and a force acts on them to return them to the distal end in the longitudinal direction. However, the spiral groove 854A of the engaging connecting member 850A and the spiral groove 824A of the turning operation member 800A are threadedly engaged with each other at a predetermined angle relative to the longitudinal direction. Therefore, the turning operation member 800A is not turned by the force that returns the engaging connecting member 850A to the distal end in the longitudinal direction. Even if the user releases the turning operation member 800A, the first rack member 500A and the engaging connecting member 850A maintain their positions, and the deflection direction of the movable part 20 is maintained.

[0199] When the first rack member 500A is displaced toward the base end in the longitudinal direction and the movable portion 20 of the tubular member 10 is deflected in a predetermined deflection direction (the direction of arrow α shown in FIG. 4 ) and the rotation operation member 800A is rotated in the rotation direction R2, the first rack member 500A is displaced so as to return to the tip end in the longitudinal direction. Furthermore, the displacement of the first rack member 500A rotates the pinion member 700, and the second rack member 600A is displaced so as to return to the base end in the longitudinal direction. At this time, the tensile force of the first operation wire W1 toward the proximal side (the base end in the longitudinal direction) weakens, and the amount of deflection of the movable portion 20 in the predetermined deflection direction (the direction of arrow α shown in FIG. 4 ) decreases. When the first rack member 500A and the second rack member 600A are returned to their neutral state, where they are positioned symmetrically at neutral positions, the movable portion 20 can be returned to a straight, extended state without deflection.

[0200] A case where the rotation operation member 800A of the deflection operation device 100A is rotated in the rotation direction R2 will be described with reference to Fig. 26. Fig. 26 shows a state where the rotation operation member 800A is rotated in the rotation direction R2.

[0201] When operating handle portion 810A of rotation operation member 800A is rotated in rotation direction R2, helical groove 824A of rotation operation member 800A threadably engages with helical groove 854A of engagement connection member 850A, displacing engagement connection member 850A and first rack member 500A toward the distal end in the longitudinal direction, as shown in Fig. 26. At this time, gear portion 710 of pinion member 700 meshes with tooth portion 520 of first rack member 500A, causing pinion member 700 to rotate. The rotation of pinion member 700 is transmitted to second rack member 600A via the meshing of gear portion 710 with tooth portion 620, and second rack member 600A is displaced in the opposite direction, toward the proximal end in the longitudinal direction, as shown in Fig. 26.

[0202] When the second rack member 600A is displaced toward the base end in the longitudinal direction in conjunction with the rotation of the rotation operation member 800A in the rotation direction R2 in this way, the second operation wire W2 fixed to the wire fixing portion 630 of the second rack member 600A is pulled toward the proximal side (the base end in the longitudinal direction), and a tensile force toward the proximal side acts on the engagement point (folded intermediate portion W2c) of the second operation wire W2 on the distal tip 50. As a result, by displacing the second operation wire W2 in the deflection operation direction of the movable part 20 of the tubular member 10, it is possible to deflect the movable part 20 toward the side where the recessed portion 57 of the distal tip 50 is located (the direction of arrow β shown in FIG. 4).

[0203] The greater the amount of rotation of the rotation operation member 800A in the rotation direction R2, the further the second rack member 600A can be displaced toward the base end in the longitudinal direction. As the second rack member 600A is displaced, the second operation wire W2 is pulled further toward the base end in the longitudinal direction, and the tensile force acting on the engagement point of the second operation wire W2 toward the proximal side also increases, allowing the movable part 20 of the tubular member 10 to be deflected even more in the direction of arrow β. In this way, by appropriately changing the amount of rotation of the rotation operation member 800A in the rotation direction R2, the amount of deflection (deflection angle) of the movable part 20 in the direction of arrow β can be adjusted to a desired deflection amount.

[0204] The second rack member 600A is subjected to tension in the second operation wire W2 fixed to the wire fixing portion 630 of the second rack member 600A, and a force acts on the second rack member 600A to return it to the distal end in the longitudinal direction. This force of the second rack member 600A to return it to the distal end in the longitudinal direction is transmitted to the first rack member 500A via the pinion member 700, and a force of returning it to the proximal end in the longitudinal direction acts on the first rack member 500A and the engaging connecting member 850A. However, the spiral groove 854A of the engaging connecting member 850A and the spiral groove 824A of the rotation operating member 800A are threadedly engaged with each other at a predetermined angle relative to the longitudinal direction. Therefore, the force of the engaging connecting member 850A trying to return to the base end side in the longitudinal direction will not cause the rotation operating member 800A to rotate, and even if the user releases the rotating operating member 800A, the first rack member 500A and the engaging connecting member 850A will maintain their positions, and the second rack member 600A will also maintain its position, so that the deflection direction of the movable part 20 will be maintained.

[0205] When the second rack member 600A is displaced toward the base end in the longitudinal direction and the movable portion 20 of the tubular member 10 is deflected in a predetermined deflection direction (the direction of arrow β shown in FIG. 4 ), if the rotation operation member 800A is rotated in the rotation direction R1, the first rack member 500A is displaced so as to return to the base end in the longitudinal direction. Furthermore, the displacement of the first rack member 500A rotates the pinion member 700, and the second rack member 600A is displaced so as to return to the tip end in the longitudinal direction. At this time, the tensile force of the second operation wire W2 toward the proximal side (the base end in the longitudinal direction) weakens, and the amount of deflection of the movable portion 20 in the predetermined deflection direction (the direction of arrow β shown in FIG. 4 ) decreases. When the first rack member 500A and the second rack member 600A are returned to their neutral state, where they are positioned symmetrically at neutral positions, the movable portion 20 can be returned to a straight, extended state without deflection.

[0206] In the deflection operation device 100A of this embodiment, the rotation operation member 800A and the engagement connecting member 850A constitute a power transmission mechanism that converts the rotational force of the rotation operation member 800A into a translational movement force in the longitudinal direction of the first rack member 500A and the second rack member 600A. The deflection operation device 100A is designed to convert the rotational force generated by the rotation of the rotation operation member 800A into a translational movement force that displaces the engagement connecting member 850A and the first rack member 500A in the longitudinal direction by threading the spiral groove 824A of the rotation operation member 800A into a translational movement force that displaces the engagement connecting member 850A and the first rack member 500A in the longitudinal direction.

[0207] Furthermore, the first rack member 500A, the second rack member 600A, and the pinion member 700 also constitute a power transmission mechanism, and when the first rack member 500A is displaced in the longitudinal direction, the second rack member 600A can be displaced in the opposite direction to the first rack member 500A due to the intervention of the pinion member 700. As a result, when the rotation operation member 800A is rotated in a predetermined rotation direction, either the first rack member 500A or the second rack member 600A is displaced toward the base end in the longitudinal direction, and the first operation wire W1 and the second operation wire W2 can be displaced in the deflection operation direction of the movable portion 20.

[0208] Note that a marker may be attached to the outer peripheral surface of the rotation operation member 800A, and when the marker is at a predetermined circumferential position, it may indicate that the movable part 20 of the tubular member 10 is in a neutral state, or the angle or number of rotations (number of revolutions) by which the rotation operation member 800A has been rotated may be indicated, making it possible to grasp the deflection state of the movable part 20. Furthermore, the controller housing 200A may be made transparent or semi-transparent so that the positions of the first rack member 500A, the second rack member 600A and the engagement connecting member 850A can be grasped.

[0209] (Third embodiment) A medical device 1B including a deflection operation device 100B for medical equipment (hereinafter referred to as deflection operation device 100B) according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the following, the same components as those in the first embodiment described above will be given the same reference numerals, and their description will be omitted or simplified.

[0210] Similar to the deflection operation device 100 in the first embodiment described above, the deflection operation device 100B in the third embodiment of the present invention is configured so that a user can operate the movable part 20 located at the distal end of the tubular member 10 constituting the medical device in a deflectable manner by rotating the rotation operation member 800B. By attaching the deflection operation device 100B instead of the deflection operation device 100 in the first embodiment described above, the first operation wire W1 and the second operation wire W2 attached to the distal end of the tubular member 10 can be displaced in the longitudinal direction along the extension direction thereof to deflect the movable part 20 of the tubular member 10.

[0211] The configuration of a deflection operation device 100B according to the third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0212] Fig. 27 is a perspective view of the deflection operation device 100B in this embodiment. Fig. 28 is an exploded perspective view of the deflection operation device 100B in this embodiment.

[0213] As shown in the perspective view of Fig. 27, the deflection operation device 100B extends in the longitudinal direction as a whole and includes a controller housing 200B and a rotation operation member 800B. A sleeve portion 210 is provided at the longitudinal tip of the deflection operation device 100B, and the tubular member 10 is inserted into the controller housing 200B from the sleeve portion 210. The controller housing 200B forms the housing of the deflection operation device 100B.

[0214] A support handle portion 220B is provided on the longitudinal base end side of controller housing 200B, and a rotating shaft support portion 350B is provided on the upper surface of support handle portion 220B. Rotation operation member 800B is rotatably disposed on the side of controller housing 200B, with its longitudinal tip side inserted into side protrusion member 650B and its longitudinal base end side supported by rotating shaft support portion 350B. In addition, an engagement member 850B is attached to rotation operation member 800B between a pair of engagement plates 670B, 680B that make up side protrusion member 650B. While holding the controller housing 200B, the user can rotate the rotation operation member 800B arranged on the side of the controller housing 200B, and can perform a deflection operation on the movable part 20 of the tubular member 10 by rotating the operation handle portion 810B of the rotation operation member 800B in one rotation direction R1 or the other rotation direction R2. The rotation operation member 800B is arranged so that its rotation axis S2 coincides with the longitudinal direction.

[0215] As shown in the exploded perspective view of FIG. 28, the deflection operation device 100B is composed of a cover 300B provided with a pivot shaft support portion 350B, a base 400B, a first rack member 500B, a second rack member 600B provided with a side protrusion member 650B, a pinion member 700, a pivot operation member 800B, and an engagement member 850B. The cover 300B and the base 400B overlap each other to form a controller housing 200B. The deflection operation device 100B can be assembled by combining these components. Each component can be made of, but is not limited to, a polymer material, for example.

[0216] The configuration of each member of the deflection operation device 100B in this embodiment will be described below.

[0217] FIG. 29 is a perspective view of a cover 300B of a deflection operation device 100B in this embodiment.

[0218] 29, the tip of lid body 300B is configured to have, from the longitudinal tip side, tapered portion 301B, curved portion 302B, and straight body portion 303B. Lid body 300B has top plate 304B and side walls 305B and 306B that form the edge of top plate 304B, and its cross section is shaped like a thin dish that opens downward.

[0219] The tapered portion 301B overlaps with the tapered portion 401B (see FIG. 30) of the base 400B to form the sleeve portion 210. A tubular member insertion groove 311B is formed in the lower surface of the tapered portion 301B, which overlaps with the tubular member insertion groove 411B (see FIG. 30) of the base 400B to form a tubular member insertion hole for inserting the tubular member 10. The curved portion 302B has a curved surface that smoothly connects the tapered portion 301B and the straight body portion 303B, and on the longitudinal base end side of the curved portion 302B, the straight body portion 303B extends to the longitudinal base end of the lid 300B.

[0220] An upper support handle portion 310B is integrally formed with the straight body portion 303B at the longitudinal base end of one side wall 306B (the side on which the rotation operation member 800B is disposed). The upper support handle portion 310B extends laterally so as to be approximately perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, and the straight body portion 303B and the upper support handle portion 310B form a substantially L-shape. The upper support handle portion 310B is not particularly limited, but may have, for example, a thin dish-like cross section that opens downward and has smoothly curved corners. The upper support handle portion 310B overlaps with the lower support handle portion 410B (see FIG. 30) of the opposing base 400B to form a support handle portion 220B that can be gripped by a user when using the deflection operation device 100B.

[0221] A pivot shaft support portion 350B is integrally provided on the longitudinal tip of the upper surface of the upper support handle portion 310B. The pivot shaft support portion 350B is made of a flat plate member that extends approximately perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. The upper edge of the pivot shaft support portion 350B is chamfered to form a smooth curve.

[0222] A through-hole 351B is formed in the center of the rotating shaft support part 350B, penetrating in the longitudinal direction. The inner diameter of the through-hole 351B is approximately the same as the outer diameter (shaft diameter) of the large-diameter part 824B (see FIG. 31) of the rotation operation member 800B, and a spiral groove 352B is formed in the inner peripheral surface of the through-hole 351B, which can be threadedly engaged with a spiral groove 825B (see FIG. 31) formed in the outer peripheral surface of the rotating shaft 820B of the rotation operation member 800B. The spiral groove 352B formed in the rotating shaft support part 350B constitutes the second screw-engagement groove of the present invention.

[0223] The spiral groove 352B of the through-hole 351B is shaped to threadably engage with the spiral groove 825B of the rotation operation member 800B. When the rotation shaft 820B is inserted into the through-hole 351B and rotated, the rotation operation member 800B threadably engages with the rotation shaft support portion 350B and can be displaced toward the longitudinal tip or base end relative to the rotation shaft support portion 350B depending on the direction of rotation. The spiral groove 352B of the through-hole 351B can be set as appropriate to match the angle and pitch (longitudinal length associated with the rotation cycle) of the spiral groove 825B of the rotation operation member 800B. Furthermore, since the amount of displacement of the operating wire when the rotation operating member 800B is rotated relative to the controller housing 200B is determined by the angle and pitch of the spiral groove 352B of the rotation shaft support portion 350B and the spiral groove 825B of the rotation operating member 800B, it is preferable to set the angle and pitch of the spiral groove 352B and the spiral groove 825B taking into consideration the operability of the user.

[0224] Although not shown, a first guide groove 371 that guides the first rack member 500 so as to be reciprocally displaceable in the longitudinal direction and a second guide groove 372 that guides the second rack member 600 so as to be reciprocally displaceable in the longitudinal direction are formed on the underside of the straight body portion 303B of the lid body 300B, similar to the underside of the inner lid portion 360 in the first embodiment described above. At the same time, a convex rib portion 373 is provided on the longitudinal tip side and a convex rib portion 374 is provided on the longitudinal base end side in the central portion in the width direction. A pinion member 700 can be disposed between the convex rib portion 373 and the convex rib portion 374, and a shaft support hole 375 that rotatably supports an end of a rotating shaft member 720 of the pinion member 700 is formed.

[0225] FIG. 30 is a perspective view of the base 400B in this embodiment.

[0226] As shown in Figure 30, the tip of base 400B is configured to have, from the longitudinal tip, a tapered portion 401B, a curved portion 402B, and a straight body portion 403B. Base 400B has a bottom plate 404B and side walls 405B and 406B that form the edge of bottom plate 404B, and its cross section is shaped like a thin dish that opens upward. Tapered portion 401B, curved portion 402B, and straight body portion 403B can overlap with tapered portion 301B, curved portion 302B, and straight body portion 303B of lid 300B, respectively, to form controller housing 200B.

[0227] Furthermore, a tubular member insertion groove 411B is formed on the upper surface of the tapered portion 401B. The tapered portion 401B overlaps with the tapered portion 301B of the cover 300B to form the sleeve portion 210, and a tubular member insertion hole for inserting the tubular member 10 is formed inside the sleeve portion 210. As shown in FIG. 32 , in the deflection operation device 100 of this embodiment, the proximal end 10b of the tubular member 10 inserted from the sleeve portion 210 is fixed inside the sleeve portion 210. The first operation wire W1 and the second operation wire W2 led out from the proximal end 10b of the tubular member 10 are guided to the first rack member 500B and the second rack member 600B.

[0228] A lower support handle portion 410B is formed integrally with the straight body portion 403B at the base end in the longitudinal direction of one side wall 406B (the side on which the rotation operation member 800B is arranged). The lower support handle portion 410B extends laterally so as to be approximately perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, and the straight body portion 403B and the lower support handle portion 410B form a substantially L-shape. The lower support handle portion 410B has the same shape as the upper support handle portion 310B of the opposing lid body 300B, and overlaps with the upper support handle portion 310B to form a support handle portion 220B that can be gripped by the user when using the deflection operation device 100B.

[0229] A step portion 407B is provided on a side wall 406B of the base 400B, and the side wall 406B on the longitudinal base end side of the step portion 407B is one step lower than the longitudinal tip end side. When the cover 300B and the base 400B are stacked facing each other, as will be described later, an opening 230B (see FIG. 33) is formed that leads a side protrusion member 650B, which is integral with the second rack member 600B, to the outside of the controller housing 200B.

[0230] Similar to the upper surface of base 400 in the first embodiment described above, the upper surface of straight body portion 403B of base 400B is formed with a first guide groove 421 that guides first rack member 500B so that it can be reciprocated in the longitudinal direction, and a second guide groove 422 that guides second rack member 600B so that it can be reciprocated in the longitudinal direction, and in the center portion in the width direction, a convex rib portion 423 is provided on the tip side in the longitudinal direction and a convex rib portion 424 is provided on the base end side in the longitudinal direction. Pinion member 700 can be disposed between convex rib portion 423 and convex rib portion 424, and a shaft support hole 425 that rotatably supports an end of a rotating shaft member 720 of pinion member 700 is formed.

[0231] FIG. 31 is a perspective view of a first rack member 500B, a second rack member 600B, a rotation operation member 800B, and an engagement member 850B in the third embodiment of the present invention.

[0232] The rack main body 510B of the first rack member 500B and the rack main body 610B of the second rack member 600B have substantially the same configuration as the first rack member 500 and the second rack member 600 in the first embodiment described above, and are configured so that the first operation wire W1 and the second operation wire W2 can be fixed by the wire fixing portion 530 and the wire fixing portion 630, respectively. However, the first rack member 500B is not provided with a threaded connecting member 550, and as shown in Fig. 31, a side protrusion member 650B is integrally provided with the second rack member 600B. Note that, although the wire fixing portion 530 is provided on the lower surface side of the first rack member 500B here, the wire fixing portions 530, 630 may be provided on either the upper surface or the lower surface.

[0233] A side protrusion member 650B that protrudes laterally from a side surface 611 of a rack main body 610B is integrally provided on the second rack member 600B. As shown in Fig. 31 , the side protrusion member 650B is configured to have a connection portion 651B that connects to the side surface 611 of the rack main body 610B, a base portion 652B that connects to the side of the connection portion 651B, and a pair of engagement plate members 670B, 680B that connect to the base portion 652B.

[0234] Connection portion 651B connects rack main body 610B and side protrusion member 650B. Connection portion 651B is made of a member that is elongated in the longitudinal direction so as to be slidable along opening 230B that leads to the outside of controller housing 200B.

[0235] The base 652B connects the connecting portion 651B and the pair of engaging plates 670B and 680B. The base 652B is made up of, for example, a rectangular flat plate member extending substantially perpendicular to the up-down direction (the Z-axis direction in FIG. 31).

[0236] The pair of engaging plate members 670B, 680B are each made of a flat plate member extending substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. The upper edges of the pair of engaging plate members 670B, 680B are each chamfered to form a smooth curve.

[0237] The engagement plate 670B is erected at the tip end of the base 652B in the longitudinal direction so as to be approximately perpendicular to the base 652B, and the engagement plate 680B is erected at the base end of the base 652B in the longitudinal direction so as to be approximately perpendicular to the base 652B. As a result, the pair of engagement plates 670B, 680B are arranged parallel to each other in the longitudinal direction, and the base 652B and the pair of engagement plates 670B, 680B form an approximately U-shape. The pair of engagement plates 670B, 680B are spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction so that the engagement member 850B can be inserted and positioned between them. Furthermore, when the deflection operating device 100B is assembled, the pair of engagement plates 670B, 680B are arranged parallel to the pivot shaft support portion 350B of the upper support handle portion 310B.

[0238] A through-hole 671B penetrating in the longitudinal direction is formed in the center of engagement plate 670B, and a through-hole 681B penetrating in the longitudinal direction is formed in the center of engagement plate 680B. The inner diameters of through-holes 671B and 681B are set to be approximately the same as the outer diameters (shaft diameters) of tip-side narrow-diameter portion 821B and base-side narrow-diameter portion 822B (see FIG. 31) of turning shaft 820B of turning operation member 800B, and turning shaft 820B inserted through through-holes 671B and 681B is rotatably supported by the pair of engagement plates 670B, 680B.

[0239] 31, the rotation operation member 800B is made up of an operation handle portion 810B and a rotating shaft member 820B. The operation handle portion 810B and the rotating shaft member 820B are integrated, and when the operation handle portion 810B is rotated, the rotating shaft member 820B rotates in conjunction with the operation handle portion 810B.

[0240] The operating handle portion 810B is made of a cylindrical member formed in a substantially cylindrical shape. Furthermore, the operating handle portion 810B has a plurality of fine slits 811B formed in the axial direction over the entire outer circumferential surface thereof. By providing the slits 811B on the outer circumferential surface of the operating handle portion 810B in this way, slippage during rotation of the operating handle portion 810B can be reduced.

[0241] A rotating shaft member 820B is integrally provided on the longitudinal tip side of the operating handle portion 810B. The rotating shaft member 820B extends from the tip surface of the operating handle portion 810B toward the longitudinal tip side so as to be aligned in the same axial direction as the operating handle portion 810B.

[0242] The rotating shaft 820B is configured with a distal narrow diameter portion 821B, an engaging member fitting portion 823B, a proximal narrow diameter portion 822B, and a thick diameter portion 824B, arranged in this order from the distal end in the cylindrical axial direction of the rotating shaft 820B. The distal narrow diameter portion 821B, engaging member fitting portion 823B, proximal narrow diameter portion 822B, and thick diameter portion 824B are all configured as cylindrical members formed into a substantially cylindrical shape. The thick diameter portion 824B is thinner than the operating handle portion 810B, and the distal narrow diameter portion 821B and proximal narrow diameter portion 822B are preferably thinner than the thick diameter portion 824B, and the engaging member fitting portion 823B is preferably thinner than the distal narrow diameter portion 821B and proximal narrow diameter portion 822B. An engaging member 850B can be attached to the engaging member fitting portion 823B. Here, engaging member fitting portion 823B is provided near the tip end of rotating shaft member 820B in the cylindrical axial direction, but the location at which engaging member fitting portion 823B is provided is not particularly limited. In addition, the outer diameter of engaging member fitting portion 823B is set to be approximately the same as the inner diameter of fitting portion 851B of engaging member 850B, and the length in the longitudinal direction of engaging member fitting portion 823B is set to be approximately the same as the longitudinal separation distance between the pair of engaging plate members 670B, 680B.

[0243] A spiral groove 825B is formed on the outer peripheral surface (cylindrical surface) of the cylindrical member that forms the large diameter portion 824B. The spiral groove 825B formed in the rotation operation member 800B forms the first screw groove of the present invention.

[0244] Spiral groove 825B of large diameter portion 824B is shaped to threadably engage with spiral groove 352B of rotating shaft member support portion 350B. As described above, it is preferable to set the angle and pitch of spiral groove 352B and spiral groove 825B in consideration of the operability for the user.

[0245] As shown in FIG. 31, the engaging member 850B is made up of a fitting portion 851B and an engaging protrusion 860B.

[0246] The fitting portion 851B is configured by a cylindrical member with one side surface cut out along the entire length. That is, the cylindrical member configuring the fitting portion 851B has an opening slit 852B formed on one side surface, and is formed so that the cross section of the cylindrical member is approximately U-shaped. The length of the fitting portion 851B in the longitudinal direction is set to be approximately the same as the length of the engaging member fitting portion 823B in the longitudinal direction (the longitudinal separation distance between the pair of engaging plate members 670B, 680B).

[0247] The inner diameter of fitting portion 851B is set to be approximately the same as the outer diameter of engaging member fitting portion 823B of rotation operation member 800B, and is set to be smaller than the outer diameters of distal end side narrow diameter portion 821B and proximal end side narrow diameter portion 822B adjacent to both longitudinal sides of engaging member fitting portion 823B. Furthermore, the circumferential separation distance of opening slit 852B is set to be smaller than the outer diameter of engaging member fitting portion 823B, and when both ends of opening slit 852B are widened in the circumferential direction, it can be made larger than the outer diameter of engaging member fitting portion 823B.

[0248] The engagement protrusion 860B is formed of a plate-like member protruding from the outer peripheral surface of the fitting portion 851B. The longitudinal length of the engagement protrusion 860B is set to be approximately the same as the longitudinal length of the fitting portion 851B. Furthermore, the length from the central axis of the fitting portion 851B to the tip 861B of the engagement protrusion 860B is set to be greater than the radius of the through holes 671B and 681B of the pair of engagement plate members 670B and 680B, respectively.

[0249] FIG. 32 is a partially exploded perspective view showing a partially assembled state of the deflection operation device 100B in this embodiment.

[0250] The partially exploded oblique view of Figure 32 shows a state in which the first rack member 500B, the second rack member 600B, and the pinion member 700 are arranged on the base 400B, and without attaching the cover body 300B, the pivot shaft member 820B of the pivot operation member 800B is passed through a pair of engaging plate members 670B, 680B from the base end side in the longitudinal direction, and the engaging member 850B is engaged with the engaging member engaging portion 823B.

[0251] When actually assembling the deflection operation device 100B, the cover 300B and the base 400B are placed one on top of the other to assemble the controller housing 200B, and then the rotation operation member 800B is attached, and further the engagement member 850B is attached. Specifically, the pivot shaft 820B of the pivot operation member 800B is inserted into the through hole 351B of the pivot shaft support portion 350B of the cover body 300B from the longitudinal base end side, and the pivot operation member 800B is rotated to screw the pivot shaft 820B and the pivot shaft support portion 350B together.Next, the pivot operation member 800B is continued to rotate to advance the pivot shaft 820B toward the longitudinal tip end side, and the pivot shaft 820B is passed through the through hole 681B of the engagement plate member 680B and the through hole 671B of the engagement plate member 670B, and then the engagement member 850B is engaged with the engagement member engagement portion 823B.

[0252] 32, the proximal end of the tubular member 10 is inserted into the sleeve portion 210 formed by the tapered portion 301B of the cover body 300B and the tapered portion 401B of the base 400B. The proximal end 10b of the tubular member 10 is fixed within the sleeve portion 210.

[0253] 32, a first rack member 500B and a second rack member 600B are disposed on the base 400B. At this time, a side protrusion member 650B formed integrally with the second rack member 600B is disposed so as to protrude to the side of the controller housing 200B. A rack main body portion 510B of the first rack member 500B is disposed so as to be able to move back and forth in the longitudinal direction within the first guide groove 421, and a rack main body portion 610B of the second rack member 600B is disposed so as to be able to move back and forth in the longitudinal direction within the second guide groove 422.

[0254] 32, the rotating shaft 820B of the rotation operation member 800B is inserted from the base end side in the longitudinal direction into the through-hole 681B of the engaging plate 680B and the through-hole 671B of the engaging plate 670B. The tip-side narrow diameter portion 821B of the rotating shaft 820B is located at the position of the through-hole 671B, the base-side narrow diameter portion 822B is located at the position of the through-hole 681B, and the engaging member fitting portion 823B is located between the pair of engaging plates 670B, 680B.

[0255] 32, the engaging member 850B is attached to the rotating shaft 820B so as to be sandwiched between a pair of engaging plates 670B, 680B. When attaching the engaging member 850B to the rotating shaft 820B, for example, the fitting portion 851B of the engaging member 850B is inserted between the pair of engaging plates 670B, 680B and the opening slit 852B of the fitting portion 851B is pressed against the engaging member fitting portion 823B. This allows the engaging member fitting portion 823B to pass through the opening slit 852B, and the fitting portion 851B can be fitted into the rotating shaft 820B.

[0256] The inner diameter of the engaging member 850B is set to be smaller than the outer diameters of the distal end narrow diameter portion 821B and the proximal end narrow diameter portion 822B. This restricts longitudinal displacement of the engaging member 850B engaged in the engaging member engaging portion 823B relative to the rotating shaft 820B. The engaging member 850B may be loosely engaged in the engaging member engaging portion 823B, or may be fixed to the engaging member engaging portion 823B so as to rotate together with the rotating shaft 820B.

[0257] When the engaging member 850B is positioned so as to be sandwiched between the pair of engaging plate members 670B, 680B, both longitudinal end surfaces of the engaging protrusion 860B are in contact with the pair of engaging plate members 670B, 680B, respectively. When the rotating shaft member 820B is displaced toward the longitudinal tip, the engaging protrusion 860B is displaced toward the longitudinal tip together with the rotating shaft member 820B, and a force is applied that pushes the engaging plate member 670B toward the longitudinal tip. This allows the side protrusion member 650B to be displaced toward the longitudinal tip. Furthermore, when the rotating shaft member 820B is displaced toward the longitudinal base end, the engaging protrusion 860B is displaced toward the longitudinal base end together with the rotating shaft member 820B, and a force is applied that pushes the engaging plate member 680B toward the longitudinal base end. This allows the side protrusion member 650B to be displaced toward the longitudinal base end.

[0258] FIG. 33 is a side view of the deflection operation device 100B in this embodiment, seen from the side where the rotation operation member 800B is arranged.

[0259] As shown in Figure 33, the rotating shaft 820B of the rotation operation member 800B is inserted from the base end in the longitudinal direction through the through hole 351B of the rotating shaft support part 350B, the through hole 681B of the engagement plate 680B, and the through hole 671B of the engagement plate 670B. A spiral groove 352B is formed on the inner circumferential surface of the through hole 351B of the rotating shaft support part 350B, as shown in Figure 29. The spiral groove 825B of the large diameter part 824B of the rotating shaft 820B is threadedly engaged with the spiral groove 352B of the rotating shaft support part 350B. Since the pivot shaft support portion 350B is integrally formed with the controller housing 200B (cover body 300B), when the pivot operation member 800B is rotated, the pivot operation member 800B is displaced relative to the controller housing 200B in the longitudinal direction (the direction of the pivot axis S2 of the pivot operation member 800B) while threadedly engaging with the pivot shaft support portion 350B.

[0260] When the lid 300B and the base 400B are overlapped, as shown in Fig. 33, an opening 230B extending in the longitudinal direction is formed between the side wall 306B of the lid 300B and the side wall 406B of the base 400B. The opening 230B allows the connecting portion 651B connecting the rack main body 610B and the side protrusion member 650B to pass through, and forms a gap that allows the connecting portion 651B to move back and forth in the longitudinal direction. When the side protrusion member 650B moves back and forth in the longitudinal direction outside the controller housing 200B, the rack main body 610B connected to the side protrusion member 650B via the connecting portion 651B moves back and forth in the longitudinal direction inside the controller housing 200B.

[0261] 32, a pinion member 700 is disposed between the first rack member 500B and the second rack member 600B. A gear portion 710 of the pinion member 700 meshes with both the toothed portion 520 of the first rack member 500B and the toothed portion 620 of the second rack member 600B. When the second rack member 600B is displaced toward the base end in the longitudinal direction, the pinion member 700 rotates and the first rack member 500B is displaced toward the tip end in the longitudinal direction, and when the second rack member 600B is displaced toward the tip end in the longitudinal direction, the pinion member 700 rotates and the first rack member 500B is displaced toward the base end in the longitudinal direction.

[0262] Next, the operation of the deflection operation device 100B when in use will be described with reference to Figs. 34 to 36. Figs. 34 to 36 are first to third plan views, respectively, of the deflection operation device 100B in this embodiment. In Figs. 34 to 36, the tapered portion 301B, curved portion 302B, and straight body portion 303B of the lid body 300B are shown in a see-through manner (not shown) to explain the operation of the deflection operation device 100B.

[0263] First, the insertion state of the first operation wire W1 and the second operation wire W2 inside the controller housing 200B will be described. The tubular member 10 is inserted through the sleeve portion 210, and its proximal end 10b is fixed inside the sleeve portion 210. The first operation wire W1 (operation wires W1a, W1b) and the second operation wire W2 (operation wires W2a, W2b) led out from the proximal end 10b of the tubular member 10 branch off at a wire insertion portion 240B located inside the bending portions 302B, 402B. The first operation wire W1 is guided by the first rack member 500B arranged in the first guide groove 421 and fixed to the wire fixing portion 530. The second operation wire W2 is guided by the second rack member 600B arranged in the second guide groove 422 and fixed to the wire fixing portion 630.

[0264] 34 to 36, the wire insertion portion 240B in this embodiment includes a pair of cylindrical members 291B and a pair of cylindrical members 292B that are erected substantially perpendicular to the base 400B, and the first operation wire W1 and the second operation wire W2 are guided toward the base end in the longitudinal direction so as to follow the side surfaces of the pair of cylindrical members 291B and the pair of cylindrical members 292B. However, without being limited to this, for example, wire insertion grooves 412 and 413 may be provided in the base 400B as in the first embodiment described above, and the first operation wire W1 and the second operation wire W2 may be guided toward the base end in the longitudinal direction along the wire insertion grooves 412 and 413.

[0265] In FIG. 34, the first rack member 500B and the second rack member 600B are positioned in symmetrical neutral positions (neutral state). In this neutral state, the first operation wire W1 and the second operation wire W2 are both adjusted so that they are not loose and are under tension. At this time, the movable portion 20 of the tubular member 10 is extended straight without deflection. Note that, as in the first embodiment described above, tool insertion grooves 431, 432 may be formed in the controller housing 200B, and the tension of the first operation wire W1 and the second operation wire W2 may be adjusted from outside the controller housing 200B at the wire fixing portion 530 of the first rack member 500B and the wire fixing portion 630 of the second rack member 600B.

[0266] A spiral groove 825B formed on the outer peripheral surface of the pivot shaft 820B of the pivot operation member 800B and a spiral groove 352B formed on the inner peripheral surface of the pivot shaft support portion 350B of the cover 300B are configured to threadably engage with each other. The rotational force of the pivot operation member 800B is converted into a translational force in the longitudinal direction (axial direction) of the pivot operation member 800B relative to the pivot shaft support portion 350B of the cover 300B. In other words, when the pivot operation member 800B is rotated, the pivot operation member 800B itself can be displaced in the longitudinal direction relative to the controller housing 200B.

[0267] The engagement member 850B is attached to the engagement member fitting portion 823B of the rotation operation member 800B so as not to be displaced in the longitudinal direction relative to the rotation operation member 800B. The engagement member 850B is disposed so as to be sandwiched between a pair of engagement plate members 670B, 680B of the side protrusion member 650B, and when the rotation operation member 800B is displaced in the longitudinal direction, the side protrusion member 650B is pushed by the engagement member 850B and displaces in the same direction, and the second rack member 600B connected to the side protrusion member 650B is also displaced in the same direction. In addition, the displacement of the second rack member 600B is transmitted to the first rack member 500B via the pinion member 700, and the first rack member 500B is displaced in the opposite direction to the second rack member 600B.

[0268] Here, it is assumed that when the rotation operation member 800B is rotated in rotation direction R1, the side thrust member 650B and the second rack member 600B are displaced toward the tip end in the longitudinal direction, and when the rotation operation member 800B is rotated in rotation direction R2, the side thrust member 650B and the second rack member 600B are displaced toward the base end in the longitudinal direction. However, the relationship between the rotation directions R1, R2 and the displacement directions of the side thrust member 650B and the second rack member 600B is not particularly limited.

[0269] A case where the rotation operation member 800B of the deflection operation device 100B is rotated in the rotation direction R1 will be described with reference to Fig. 35. Fig. 35 shows a state where the rotation operation member 800B is rotated in the rotation direction R1.

[0270] When the operating handle portion 810B of the rotation operation member 800B is rotated in the rotation direction R1, the spiral groove 825B of the rotation operation member 800B threadably engages with the spiral groove 352B of the rotation shaft support portion 350B, causing the rotation operation member 800B and the engagement member 850B to displace toward the longitudinal tip end, as shown in FIG. 35 , and accordingly, the side projection member 650B and the second rack member 600B are displaced toward the longitudinal tip end. At this time, the gear portion 710 of the pinion member 700 meshes with the toothed portion 620 of the second rack member 600B, causing the pinion member 700 to rotate. The rotation of the pinion member 700 is transmitted to the first rack member 500B via the meshing of the gear portion 710 with the toothed portion 520, causing the first rack member 500B to displace in the opposite direction, toward the longitudinal base end, as shown in FIG. 35.

[0271] When the first rack member 500B is displaced toward the base end in the longitudinal direction in conjunction with the rotation of the rotation operation member 800B in the rotation direction R1 in this way, the first operation wire W1 fixed to the wire fixing portion 530 of the first rack member 500B is pulled toward the proximal side (the base end in the longitudinal direction), and a tensile force toward the proximal side acts on the engagement point (the folded intermediate portion W1c) of the first operation wire W1 of the distal tip 50. As a result, by displacing the first operation wire W1 in the deflection operation direction of the movable part 20 of the tubular member 10, it is possible to deflect the movable part 20 toward the side where the recessed portion 56 of the distal tip 50 is located (the direction of arrow α shown in FIG. 4).

[0272] The greater the amount of rotation of the rotation operation member 800B in the rotation direction R1, the further the first rack member 500B can be displaced toward the base end in the longitudinal direction. As the first rack member 500B is displaced, the first operation wire W1 is pulled further toward the base end in the longitudinal direction, and the tensile force acting on the engagement point of the first operation wire W1 toward the proximal side also increases, allowing the movable part 20 of the tubular member 10 to be deflected even more in the direction of arrow α. In this way, by appropriately changing the amount of rotation of the rotation operation member 800B in the rotation direction R1, the amount of deflection (deflection angle) of the movable part 20 in the direction of arrow α can be adjusted to a desired deflection amount.

[0273] The first rack member 500B is subjected to tension in the first operation wire W1 fixed to the wire fixing portion 530 of the first rack member 500B, and a force acts on the first rack member 500B to return it to the distal end in the longitudinal direction. This force on the first rack member 500B to return it to the distal end in the longitudinal direction is transmitted to the second rack member 600B via the pinion member 700, and a force acts on the second rack member 600B and the side projection member 650B to return it to the proximal end in the longitudinal direction, and a force also acts on the engagement member 850B and the rotation operation member 800B to return it to the proximal end in the longitudinal direction. However, the spiral groove 352B of the rotation shaft support portion 350B and the spiral groove 825B of the rotation operation member 800B are threadedly engaged with each other at a predetermined angle relative to the longitudinal direction. Therefore, the rotation operating member 800B will not rotate due to the force that tries to return it to the base end side in the longitudinal direction, and even if the user releases the rotation operating member 800B, the second rack member 600B and the side protrusion member 650B will maintain their positions, and the first rack member 500B will also maintain its position, so that the deflection direction of the movable part 20 will be maintained.

[0274] When the first rack member 500B is displaced toward the base end in the longitudinal direction and the movable portion 20 of the tubular member 10 is deflected in a predetermined deflection direction (the direction of arrow α shown in FIG. 4 ), if the rotation operation member 800B is rotated in the rotation direction R2, the second rack member 600B is displaced so as to return to the base end in the longitudinal direction. Furthermore, the displacement of the second rack member 600B rotates the pinion member 700, displacing the first rack member 500B so as to return to the tip end in the longitudinal direction. At this time, the tensile force of the first operation wire W1 toward the proximal side (the base end in the longitudinal direction) weakens, and the amount of deflection of the movable portion 20 in the predetermined deflection direction (the direction of arrow α shown in FIG. 4 ) decreases. When the first rack member 500B and the second rack member 600B are returned to their neutral state, where they are positioned symmetrically at neutral positions, the movable portion 20 can be returned to a straight, extended state without deflection.

[0275] A case where the rotation operation member 800B of the deflection operation device 100B is rotated in the rotation direction R2 will be described with reference to Fig. 36. Fig. 36 shows a state where the rotation operation member 800B is rotated in the rotation direction R2.

[0276] When the operating handle portion 810B of the rotation operation member 800B is rotated in the rotation direction R2, the spiral groove 825B of the rotation operation member 800B threadably engages with the spiral groove 352B of the rotation shaft support portion 350B, displacing the rotation operation member 800B and the engagement member 850B toward the base end in the longitudinal direction, as shown in FIG. 36 . Accordingly, the side projection member 650B and the second rack member 600B are displaced toward the base end in the longitudinal direction. At this time, the gear portion 710 of the pinion member 700 meshes with the toothed portion 620 of the second rack member 600B, causing the pinion member 700 to rotate. The rotation of the pinion member 700 is transmitted to the first rack member 500B via the meshing of the gear portion 710 with the toothed portion 520, and the first rack member 500B is displaced in the opposite direction, toward the tip end in the longitudinal direction, as shown in FIG. 36 .

[0277] When the side protrusion member 650B and the second rack member 600B are displaced toward the base end in the longitudinal direction in conjunction with the rotation of the rotation operation member 800B in the rotation direction R2 in this way, the second operation wire W2 fixed to the wire fixing portion 630 of the second rack member 600B is pulled toward the proximal side (the base end in the longitudinal direction), and a tensile force toward the proximal side acts on the engagement point (folded intermediate portion W2c) of the second operation wire W2 on the distal tip 50. As a result, by displacing the second operation wire W2 in the deflection operation direction of the movable part 20 of the tubular member 10, it is possible to deflect the movable part 20 toward the side where the recessed portion 57 of the distal tip 50 is located (the direction of arrow β shown in FIG. 4).

[0278] The greater the amount of rotation of the rotation operation member 800B in the rotation direction R2, the further the second rack member 600B can be displaced toward the base end in the longitudinal direction. As the second rack member 600B is displaced, the second operation wire W2 is pulled further toward the base end in the longitudinal direction, and the tensile force acting on the engagement point of the second operation wire W2 toward the proximal side also increases, allowing the movable part 20 of the tubular member 10 to be deflected even more in the direction of arrow β. In this way, by appropriately changing the amount of rotation of the rotation operation member 800B in the rotation direction R2, the amount of deflection (deflection angle) of the movable part 20 in the direction of arrow β can be adjusted to a desired deflection amount.

[0279] The tension of the second operation wire W2 fixed to the wire fixing portion 630 of the second rack member 600B acts on the second rack member 600B and the side protrusion member 650B, causing a force to return them toward the longitudinal tip end. This also causes a force to return them toward the longitudinal tip end to act on the engagement member 850B and the rotation operation member 800B. However, the spiral groove 352B of the rotation shaft member support portion 350B and the spiral groove 825B of the rotation operation member 800B are threadedly engaged with each other at a predetermined angle relative to the longitudinal direction. Therefore, the rotation operation member 800B is not rotated by the force returning it toward the longitudinal tip end. Even if the user releases the rotation operation member 800B, the second rack member 600B and the side protrusion member 650B maintain their positions, and the deflection direction of the movable portion 20 is maintained.

[0280] When the second rack member 600B is displaced toward the base end in the longitudinal direction and the movable portion 20 of the tubular member 10 is deflected in a predetermined deflection direction (the direction of arrow β shown in FIG. 4 ), if the rotation operation member 800B is rotated in the rotation direction R1, the second rack member 600B is displaced so as to return to the tip end in the longitudinal direction. Furthermore, the displacement of the second rack member 600B rotates the pinion member 700, and the first rack member 500B is displaced so as to return to the base end in the longitudinal direction. At this time, the tensile force of the second operation wire W2 toward the proximal side (the base end in the longitudinal direction) weakens, and the amount of deflection of the movable portion 20 in the predetermined deflection direction (the direction of arrow β shown in FIG. 4 ) decreases. When the first rack member 500B and the second rack member 600B are returned to their neutral state, where they are positioned symmetrically at neutral positions, the movable portion 20 can be returned to a straight, extended state without deflection.

[0281] In the deflection operation device 100B of this embodiment, the rotation operation member 800B, the engagement member 850B, and the side protrusion member 650B constitute a power transmission mechanism. The deflection operation device 100B is configured to convert the rotation force generated by the rotation of the rotation operation member 800B into a translational force that displaces the rotation operation member 800B and the engagement member 850B in the longitudinal direction by threading the spiral groove 825B of the rotation operation member 800B with the spiral groove 352B of the rotation shaft support portion 350B. Furthermore, this translational force displaces the side protrusion member 650B engaged with the engagement member 850B in the longitudinal direction, thereby displacing the second rack member 600B connected to the side protrusion member 650B in the longitudinal direction.

[0282] Furthermore, the first rack member 500B, the second rack member 600B, and the pinion member 700 also constitute a power transmission mechanism, and when the second rack member 600B is displaced in the longitudinal direction, the first rack member 500B can be displaced in the opposite direction to the second rack member 600B due to the intervention of the pinion member 700. As a result, when the rotation operation member 800B is rotated in a predetermined rotation direction, either the first rack member 500B or the second rack member 600B is displaced toward the base end in the longitudinal direction, and the first operation wire W1 and the second operation wire W2 can be displaced in the deflection operation direction of the movable portion 20.

[0283] A marker may be attached to the outer peripheral surface of the rotation operation member 800B, and when the marker is at a predetermined position in the circumferential direction, it may indicate that the movable part 20 of the tubular member 10 is in a neutral state, or a marker may be attached to approximately the center in the longitudinal direction of the controller housing 200B, and when the side protrusion member 650B is positioned so as to overlap with the marker, it may indicate that the movable part 20 of the tubular member 10 is in a neutral state. Alternatively, the angle by which the rotation operation member 800B has been rotated or the number of rotations (number of revolutions) may be indicated so that the deflection state of the movable part 20 can be grasped.

[0284] The operation of the deflection operation devices 100, 100A, and 100B in the first to third embodiments will be described below.

[0285] The deflection operation devices 100, 100A, 100B in the above-described first to third embodiments deflect the movable part 20 of a medical instrument (for example, the tubular member 10 of the medical device 1, 1A, 1B) via the first operation wire W1 and the second operation wire W2.

[0286] The deflection operation device 100, 100A, 100B in the first to third embodiments includes a controller housing 200, 200A, 200B that forms a housing, a first rack member 500, 500A, 500B and a second rack member 600, 600A, 600B, a pinion member 700, a rotation operation member 800, 800A, 800B, and a power transmission mechanism.

[0287] The controller housings 200, 200A, 200B have wire insertion sections 240, 240B inside the controller housings 200, 200A, 200B, which are provided at the longitudinal tip side along the extension direction of the first operating wire W1 and the second operating wire W2 and through which the first operating wire W1 and the second operating wire W2 are inserted.

[0288] The first rack members 500, 500A, 500B and the second rack members 600, 600A, 600B are housed inside the controller housings 200, 200A, 200B so as to be reciprocally displaceable in the longitudinal direction, respectively, and have teeth 520, 620 that face each other.

[0289] The pinion member 700 is disposed between the first rack members 500, 500A, 500B and the second rack members 600, 600A, 600B, and is rotatably supported on the controller housings 200, 200A, 200B in a state in which it meshes with the tooth portions 520, 620 of the first rack members 500, 500A, 500B and the second rack members 600, 600A, 600B.

[0290] The rotation operation members 800, 800A, 800B have rotation axes in the longitudinal direction, and are supported rotatably relative to the controller housings 200, 200A, 200B.

[0291] The power transmission mechanism converts the rotational force generated by the rotation of the rotation operation member 800, 800A, 800B into a translational force that displaces one of the first rack member 500, 500A, 500B and the second rack member 600, 600A, 600B in the longitudinal direction. The power transmission mechanism in the first embodiment is configured to include the rotation operation member 800 and the threaded coupling member 550. The power transmission mechanism in the second embodiment is configured to include the rotation operation member 800A and the engagement coupling member 850A. The power transmission mechanism in the third embodiment is configured to include the rotation operation member 800B, the engagement member 850B, and the side projection member 650B.

[0292] When the rotation operation members 800, 800A, 800B are rotated, the power transmission mechanism converts the rotation force of the rotation operation members 800, 800A, 800B into translational movement forces of the first rack members 500, 500A, 500B and the second rack members 600, 600A, 600B, displacing one of the first rack members 500, 500A, 500B and the second rack members 600, 600A, 600B in the longitudinal direction. The first rack members 500, 500A, 500B and the second rack members 600, 600A, 600B are displaced in opposite directions relative to the pinion member 700, displacing the first operation wire W1 and the second operation wire W2 in the deflection operation direction of the movable portion 20.

[0293] According to the above configuration, a user can rotate the rotation operation members 800, 800A, 800B to longitudinally displace the first rack members 500, 500A, 500B and the second rack members 600, 600A, 600B, thereby deflecting the movable unit 20 of the medical device. The user can adjust the amount of displacement of the first rack members 500, 500A, 500B and the second rack members 600, 600A, 600B by appropriately changing the rotation amount (operation amount) of the rotation operation members 800, 800A, 800B, thereby deflecting the movable unit 20 by a desired deflection angle in a desired deflection direction. Furthermore, the user can easily adjust the deflection amount of the movable unit 20 relative to the rotation amount of the rotation operation members 800, 800A, 800B.

[0294] Furthermore, the power transmission mechanism is configured to convert the rotational force generated by the rotation of the rotation operation member 800, 800A, 800B into a translational force that displaces one of the first rack member 500, 500A, 500B and the second rack member 600, 600A, 600B in the longitudinal direction, so that the rotation operation member 800, 800A, 800B does not rotate even when tension is generated in the operation wire, and the rotation operation member 800, 800A, 800B does not rotate even when tension in the operation wire is applied to the first rack member 500, 500A, 500B and the second rack member 600, 600A, 600B. As a result, even if the user releases the rotation operation member 800, 800A, 800B, the movable part 20 of the medical device can be maintained in a state deflected in the desired deflection direction.

[0295] In the deflection operation devices 100, 100A in the first and second embodiments described above, a first screw groove (spiral groove 810, 824A) is formed on the circumferential surface of the rotation operation member 800, 800A, and a connecting member (screw connecting member 550, engagement connecting member 850A) having a second screw groove (spiral groove 560, 854A) that screws into the first screw groove of the rotation operation member 800, 800A is formed, and the first rack member 500, 500A and the second rack member 60 The power transmission mechanism may be integrally formed on either one of the rotation operating members 800, 800A and 600A, and may include a rotation operating member 800, 800A and a connecting member, and when the rotation operating member 800, 800A is rotated, the connecting member may be displaced in the longitudinal direction via a threaded engagement between a first threaded groove of the rotation operating member 800, 800A and a second threaded groove of the connecting member, thereby displacing the first rack member 500, 500A and the second rack member 600, 600A in the longitudinal direction.

[0296] According to the above configuration, the first screw groove formed in the rotation operation member 800, 800A is screwed into the second screw groove formed in the connecting member provided on either the first rack member 500, 500A or the second rack member 600, 600A, thereby enabling the rotation of the rotation operation member 800, 800A to be linked with the longitudinal displacement of the first rack member 500, 500A and the second rack member 600, 600A.

[0297] In the deflection operation device 100 in the first embodiment described above, the rotation operation member 800 comprises a cylindrical member having a first screw groove (spiral groove 810) formed on its inner surface, and is rotatably fitted to the exterior of the approximately cylindrical controller housing 200, and the first screw groove of the rotation operation member 800 fitted to the exterior of the controller housing 200 may be screwed into a second screw groove (spiral groove 560) of a connecting member (screw-fitting connecting member 550) provided on either the first rack member 500 or the second rack member 600 through an opening 230 provided in the controller housing 200.

[0298] According to the above configuration, the rotation operation member 800 can be arranged coaxially with the substantially cylindrical controller housing 200, and the deflection operation device 100 can be made compact and small.

[0299] In the deflection operation device 100A in the second embodiment described above, a rotation operation member 800A is configured to integrally include a substantially cylindrical rotation shaft member 820A and an operation handle portion 810A provided integrally with the rotation shaft member 820A, a first screw groove (a spiral groove 824A) is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the rotation shaft member 820A, the rotation shaft member 820A is rotatably disposed on the side of the controller housing 200A, and a first rack member 500A and Either one of the second rack members 600A may have a tubular portion 851A protruding laterally as an integral connecting member (engaging connecting member 850A), the tubular portion 851A fitted onto the rotating shaft member 820A, a second screw groove (spiral groove 854A) formed on the inner peripheral surface of the tubular portion 851A, the rotating shaft member 820A being rotatably inserted into the tubular portion 851A, and the first screw groove of the rotating shaft member 820A and the second screw groove of the tubular portion 851A may be screwed together.

[0300] According to the above configuration, by positioning the rotation operation member 800A so that it is inserted into the cylindrical portion 851A protruding to the side of the controller housing 200A, the rotation operation member 800A can be positioned to the side of the controller housing 200A, and the rotation operation of the rotation operation member 800A can be performed while holding the controller housing 200A.

[0301] In the deflection operation device 100B in the third embodiment described above, a rotation operation member 800B integrally includes a substantially cylindrical rotating shaft member 820B having a first screw groove (spiral groove 825B) formed on its outer circumferential surface, and an operation handle portion 810B integrally provided with the rotating shaft member 820B, an engaging member 850B is provided at a predetermined position in the cylindrical axial direction of the rotating shaft member 820B, a rotating shaft member support portion 350B having a second screw groove (spiral groove 352B) formed therein that screws into the first screw groove of the rotating shaft member 820B is provided integrally with the controller housing 200B, and the rotation operation member 800B is rotatably supported by the rotating shaft member support portion 350B, and a first rack member 5 Either one of the first rack member 500B and the second rack member 600B protrudes laterally through an opening 230B provided in the controller housing 200B and has integrally therewith a side protrusion member 650B that is engageable with the engagement member 850B, and the power transmission mechanism is configured to include the rotation operation member 800B, the engagement member 850B, and the side protrusion member 650B, and when the rotation operation member 800B is rotated, the engagement member 850B moves translationally together with the rotation operation member 800B relative to the controller housing 200B, and the first rack member 500B and the second rack member 600B move translationally in the longitudinal direction through the engagement between the engagement member 850B and the side protrusion member 650B.

[0302] According to the above configuration, the engagement member 850B can be displaced in the longitudinal direction by rotating the rotation operation member 800B, which threadably engages with the rotation shaft support portion 350B of the controller housing 200B. Furthermore, the engagement member 850B provided on the rotation operation member 800B and the side protrusion member 650B provided on either the first rack member 500B or the second rack member 600B can be engaged to displace the first rack member 500B and the second rack member 600B in the longitudinal direction. Furthermore, by positioning the rotation operation member 800B so that it engages with the side protrusion member 650B protruding laterally from the controller housing 200B, the rotation operation member 800B can be positioned on the side of the controller housing 200B, and the rotation operation member 800B can be rotated while holding down the controller housing 200B.

[0303] The above-described embodiments are described to facilitate understanding of the present invention, and are not described to limit the present invention. Therefore, each element disclosed in the above-described embodiments is intended to include all design modifications and equivalents that fall within the technical scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0304] 1, 1A, 1B Medical Devices 10 Tubular member 10a distal end 10b Proximal end 11a, 11b, 12a, 12b wire lumen 13 main lumens 20 Moving parts 50 Tip 55a, 253, 351B, 671B, 681B, 801, 852A, 901 through hole 56, 57 Recesses 56a, 56b, 57a, 57b Wire insertion holes 100, 100A, 100B Deflection operation device (Deflection operation device for medical equipment) 200, 200A, 200B controller housing 210 Sleeve section 220B Support handle 230, 230B opening 240, 240B Wire insertion part 250 connecting members 251 Tip-side cylindrical member 252, 900 base end cylindrical member 254 Blade member 255 Engagement part 260A Rotating shaft protection part 270A, 350B Rotating shaft support 291B, 292B cylindrical members 300, 300A, 300B lid body 301B, 321, 401, 401B Tapered section 302B, 322, 402, 402B curved section 303B, 323, 323A, 325, 403, 403A, 403B, 405 Straight body part 304B Top plate 305B, 306B, 362, 363, 400a, 400b, 405B, 406B side wall 310B Upper support handle 311B, 331, 365, 411, 411B Tubular member insertion groove 320, 320A top cover 323a, 407B step section 324, 364, 404 Expanded diameter part 326 Inner lid storage section 331a, 365a, 411a Slope 332, 333 curved convex part 334, 366 Cylindrical member receiving groove 335, 368 Cylindrical member insertion groove 352B, 560, 810, 824A, 825B, 854A Spiral groove 360, 360A inner lid part 361, 361A Flat plate members 367 Blade member accommodation groove 369, 406 Rib section 369a, 406a, 910 groove 370, 407 Slide guide groove 371, 421 First guide groove 372, 422 Second guide groove 373, 374, 423, 424 Convex part 375, 425 Shaft support hole 381A Upper protective member 382A, 482A semi-cylindrical surface 383A, 384A, 392A, 483A, 484A, 492A Bearing section 385A Tool insertion hole 391A Upper support member 400, 400A, 400B base 404B bottom plate 410B Lower support handle 412, 413 Wire insertion groove 426, 427 Guide step 431, 432 Tool insertion groove 481A Lower protective member 491A Lower support member 500, 500A, 500B First rack member 510, 510A, 510B rack body 511, 611 side 512, 612 guide piece 520, 620 teeth 530, 630 Wire fixing part 531, 631 Groove 532, 632 recesses 550 Threaded connecting member (connecting member) 570A Engagement member insertion hole 580, 680 metal tube 590, 690 threaded section 591, 691 female thread 592, 692 volts 600, 600A, 600B Second rack member 610, 610A, 610B rack body 650B Side projection member 651B connection part 652B, 856A base 670B, 680B engagement plate material 700 Pinion member 710 Gear section 720, 820A, 820B Rotating shaft material 800, 800A, 800B Rotation operation member 810A, 810B operating handle 811A, 811B slits 821A, 821B Tip side narrow diameter part 822A, 822B Proximal narrow diameter part 823A, 824B Large diameter part 823B Engagement member fitting portion 830A Base end rotating shaft 850A Engagement connecting member (connecting member) 850B Engagement member 851A Cylindrical part 851B Mating part 852B Opening Slit 855A, 860B engaging protrusion 861B Tip W1 First operating wire W1a, W1b, W2a, W2b Control wires W1c, W2c folded middle part W2 Second operating wire

Claims

1. A deflection operation device for a medical device that deflects a movable part of the medical device via a first operation wire and a second operation wire, a controller housing that forms a housing, the controller housing having a wire insertion portion inside the housing, the wire insertion portion being provided on a distal end side in a longitudinal direction along an extension direction of the first operation wire and the second operation wire, and through which the first operation wire and the second operation wire are inserted; a first rack member and a second rack member housed inside the controller housing so as to be reciprocally displaceable in the longitudinal direction and have teeth portions facing each other; a pinion member disposed between the first rack member and the second rack member, the pinion member being rotatably supported on the controller housing in a state of meshing with the teeth of both rack members; a rotation operation member having a rotation axis in the longitudinal direction and rotatably supported with respect to the controller housing; a power transmission mechanism that converts a rotational force generated by rotation of the rotation operation member into a translational movement force that displaces either the first rack member or the second rack member in the longitudinal direction, A deflection operating device for medical equipment, characterized in that when the rotating operating member is rotated, the power transmission mechanism converts the rotational force of the rotating operating member into the translational movement force to displace either the first rack member or the second rack member in the longitudinal direction, and while the first rack member and the second rack member are displaced in opposite directions relative to the pinion member, the first operating wire and the second operating wire are displaced in the deflection operating direction of the movable part.

2. a first screw groove is formed on a peripheral surface of the rotation operation member, and a connecting member having a second screw groove formed thereon that screws into the first screw groove of the rotation operation member is provided integrally with either the first rack member or the second rack member, The deflection operating device for medical equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that the power transmission mechanism is configured to include the rotation operating member and the connecting member, and when the rotation operating member is rotated, the connecting member is displaced in the longitudinal direction through threaded engagement between the first screw groove of the rotation operating member and the second screw groove of the connecting member, thereby displacing the first rack member and the second rack member in the longitudinal direction.

3. the rotation operation member includes a cylindrical member having the first screw groove formed on an inner circumferential surface thereof, and is rotatably fitted to the outside of the substantially cylindrical controller housing, 3. The deflection operating device for medical equipment according to claim 2, characterized in that the first screw groove of the rotation operating member fitted to the outside of the controller housing and the second screw groove of the connecting member provided on either the first rack member or the second rack member are screwed together through an opening provided in the controller housing.

4. The rotation operation member is configured to integrally include a substantially cylindrical rotation shaft member and an operation handle portion integrally provided on the rotation shaft member, the first screw groove is formed on an outer peripheral surface of the rotating shaft member, and the rotating shaft member is rotatably disposed on a side of the controller housing, one of the first rack member and the second rack member has a tubular portion that protrudes laterally and is integral with the connecting member, and the tubular portion is fitted onto the rotating shaft member; the second thread groove is formed on an inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion, The deflection operating device for medical equipment according to claim 2, characterized in that the rotating shaft member is rotatably inserted into the cylindrical portion, and the first threaded groove of the rotating shaft member and the second threaded groove of the cylindrical portion are threadedly engaged with each other.

5. the rotation operation member integrally comprises a substantially cylindrical rotation shaft member having a first screw groove formed on an outer peripheral surface thereof, and an operation handle portion integrally provided on the rotation shaft member, and an engaging member is provided at a predetermined position in the cylindrical axial direction of the rotation shaft member, a rotating shaft member support portion having a second screw groove formed therein that screws into the first screw groove of the rotating shaft member is provided integrally with the controller housing, and the rotation operation member is rotatably supported by the rotating shaft member support portion; one of the first rack member and the second rack member has integrally therewith a side protrusion member that protrudes laterally through an opening provided in the controller housing and is engageable with the engaging member, The deflection operating device for medical equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that the power transmission mechanism is configured to include the rotation operating member, the engagement member, and the side protrusion member, and when the rotation operating member is rotated, the engagement member moves translationally relative to the controller housing together with the rotation operating member, and the first rack member and the second rack member move translationally in the longitudinal direction through engagement between the engagement member and the side protrusion member.

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