Curved portion of the endoscope and the endoscope

Abstract

The conventional snake bone structure cannot satisfy both flexibility and axial supportability at the same time. 【Solution means】 The present invention provides a curved portion of an endoscope and an endoscope. The curved portion of the endoscope has a hollow tube. The hollow tube has a plurality of sets of gap portions sequentially extending along the axial direction of the hollow tube. The plurality of sets of gap portions each have at least one gap arranged in the circumferential direction of the hollow tube. Along the length direction of the gap, a specific angle is formed between the length direction of one end or both ends of the gap and the radial direction of the hollow tube. The radial direction of the hollow tube is orthogonal to the axial direction of the hollow tube. According to the present invention, by providing the gap in an inclined manner, the bending flexibility and the axial supportability are improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of endoscopes, particularly to the bending portion of an endoscope and an endoscope.

Background Art

[0002] An endoscope is an inspection instrument widely used in the medical and industrial fields. Generally, by using a snake bone, the inserted portion of the inspection target can be bent or redirected. There is a method of cutting out a plurality of pipe sections from a hollow pipe with a laser. Each of the plurality of pipe sections has a connecting device. The connecting device forms a bending portion for remote control of the endoscope insertion tube (also called a "snake bone") by combining with the connecting devices of adjacent pipe sections. This will be described with reference to FIG. 1. As a prior art, a groove perpendicular to the axial direction of the hollow pipe is formed in the hollow pipe. Such a structure has the following drawbacks. When the groove is enlarged to satisfy the bending flexibility, the axial support force of the hollow pipe becomes weak and the structure is easily collapsed. Also, when the groove is made small to satisfy the axial supportability, the flexibility of the hollow pipe becomes insufficient and it becomes difficult to extend and bend. Therefore, the conventional snake bone structure cannot satisfy both flexibility and axial supportability at the same time.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0003] In order to solve the problem of the prior art that flexibility and axial supportability cannot be satisfied at the same time, the present invention provides a bending portion of an endoscope and an endoscope.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0004] The present invention for solving the above problems is as follows. A first aspect of the present invention provides a bending portion of an endoscope. The bending portion of the endoscope has a plurality of sets of gap portions sequentially extending along the axial direction of the hollow pipe. Each of the plurality of sets of gap portions has at least one gap disposed in the circumferential direction of the hollow tube. Along the length direction of the gap, there is a specific angle between the length direction of one or both ends of the gap and the radial direction of the hollow tube. The radial direction of the hollow tube is perpendicular to the axial direction of the hollow tube.

[0005] Preferably, each set of gap portions has a first gap and a second gap. The first gap is disposed in the first circumferential direction of the hollow tube. The second gap is disposed in the second circumferential direction of the hollow tube. Along the circumferential direction of the hollow tube, there is a specific relative positional difference between the first gap and the second gap.

[0006] Preferably, the gap curves around the axial center in the axial direction so as to have a specific arc length. When both sides of the gap come into contact, the contact position becomes a line contact or a surface contact.

[0007] Preferably, the gap has a curved shape along the length direction of the gap.

[0008] Preferably, the gap has a crescent shape along the length direction of the gap.

[0009] Preferably, the hollow tube has a plurality of sets of wire groove portions extending sequentially along the axial direction of the hollow tube. The plurality of sets of wire groove portions have a first wire groove and a second wire groove. The first wire groove and the second wire groove are respectively provided on opposite sides of the hollow tube.

[0010] Preferably, the first wire groove and the second wire groove are symmetric with each other.

[0011] Preferably, the wall thickness of the hollow tube is smaller than a specific wall thickness value.

[0012] Preferably, the specific angle is 10° - 45°.

[0013] Preferably, the hollow tube is a hollow steel tube.

[0014] A second aspect of the present invention provides an endoscope. The endoscope has a bending portion of the endoscope according to any one of the above items.

[0015] According to the bending portion of the endoscope and the endoscope of the present invention, a specific angle is formed between the length direction at one or both ends of the gap and the radial direction of the pipeline, that is, the gap is provided in an inclined manner. Therefore, when an axial tensile force is applied to the bending portion of the endoscope, a lengthwise force is generated at one or both ends of the gap having a specific angle with the radial direction. This force has an angle with the radial direction and is decomposed into a radial force and an axial force. The radial force can strengthen the bending, that is, improve the bending flexibility. The axial force can strengthen the axial support, that is, improve the axial supportability.

[0016] In one embodiment of the present invention, when the gap is curved around the axial center so as to have a specific arc length and both sides of the gap come into contact, the contact position becomes a line contact or a surface contact. Therefore, the contact area is increased and the bending stability is improved.

[0017] In one embodiment of the present invention, the gap is in a crescent shape along the length direction of the gap. Therefore, corresponding to the inclination of the gap, the gap is curved around the axial center so as to have a specific arc length, and when both sides thereof come into contact, the contact portion becomes a long curve. Therefore, the contact area on both sides of the curved gap is further increased, and the bending stability is further improved.

[0018] In one embodiment of the present invention, the gap is provided in an inclined manner and can satisfy flexibility and axial supportability. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the wall thickness of the hollow tube (smaller than a specific wall thickness value), reduce the size of the endoscope, and further improve the bending flexibility.

[0019] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention and the prior art will be described in detail while disclosing the drawings. The drawings are merely embodiments of the present invention, and those skilled in the art can make changes based on the said drawings.

Brief Explanation of the Drawings

[0020]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0021] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail while disclosing the drawings. However, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that the embodiments are merely examples, and various modifications are possible, and such modifications are also within the scope of the present invention.

[0022] In the specification of the present invention, the orientation or positional relationship indicated by terms such as "upper", "lower", "upper end", "lower end", "lower surface", "upper surface", etc. is merely used for explaining the present invention and does not limit the present invention.

[0023] In the specification of the present invention, terms such as "first", "second", etc. are used for explanation and do not include meanings such as importance or quantity. Therefore, the "first" feature and the "second" feature may include one or more features. In the present invention, unless otherwise specifically limited, "a plurality" indicates numbers such as, for example, two, three, four, etc.

[0024] In the description of the present invention, unless otherwise specifically limited, terms such as "connection" include, for example, fixed connection, detachable connection, integral connection, mechanical connection, electrical connection, and communication connection. Further, "connection" may be a direct connection, may be indirectly connected via an intermediate object, or may be an internal connection between two elements or an interaction between two elements. Those skilled in the art can understand the meaning of the above terms based on specific situations.

[0025] Hereinafter, the technical features of the present invention will be described in detail while disclosing embodiments, and the embodiments may be combined. The description of the same or similar concepts or steps may be omitted in some cases.

[0026] This will be described with reference to FIG. 2. In one embodiment, a curved portion of an endoscope is provided. The curved portion of the endoscope has a hollow tube. The hollow tube has a plurality of sets of gap portions that sequentially extend along the axial direction of the hollow tube.

[0027] The plurality of sets of gap portions each have at least one gap arranged in the circumferential direction of the hollow tube. Along the length direction of the gap, one end or both ends of the gap have a specific angle with the radial direction of the hollow tube (that is, the gap is provided in an inclined manner). The radial direction of the hollow tube is perpendicular to the axial direction of the hollow tube.

[0028] This will be described with reference to FIG. 3. In the above embodiment, one end or both ends of the gap have a specific angle with the radial direction of the hollow tube (that is, the gap is provided in an inclined manner). When an axial tensile force is applied to the curved portion of the endoscope, a longitudinal force F is generated at one end or both ends of the gap having a specific angle with the radial direction. Since the direction of the force has an angle with the radial direction, it is decomposed into a radial force F1 and an axial force F2. The radial force F1 strengthens the curvature, that is, improves the bending flexibility. The axial force F2 strengthens the axial support, that is, improves the axial supportability.

[0029] In one embodiment, the axial distance between a plurality of adjacent sets of gap portions may be the same or different. The bending rigidity of different parts of the bending portion can be designed according to requirements. For example, the axial distance can be designed to be increased for the part where the bending rigidity is desired to be increased (for example, the middle part of the bending portion), and the axial distance can be designed to be decreased for the part where the bending rigidity is desired to be decreased (for example, both ends of the bending portion).

[0030] This will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 4. In one embodiment, each gap portion has a first gap 11 and a second gap 12. The first gap 11 is arranged in the first circumferential direction of the hollow tube. The second gap 12 is arranged in the second circumferential direction of the hollow tube. Along the circumferential direction of the hollow tube, there is a specific relative positional difference between the first gap 11 and the second gap 12. In one embodiment, when the gap is curved around the axial axis so that the gap has a specific arc length and both sides of the gap come into contact, the contact position becomes a line contact or a surface contact. Therefore, the rotational freedom is improved. The reason will be explained with reference to FIG. 1. Most of the conventional cuts are rectangular, that is, the gap is rectangular. Therefore, when the hollow tube is bent and both sides of the gap come into contact, it will always be a point contact, and the axial supportability will be insufficient. When the axial support force decreases, the bending stability also decreases, and it is likely to swing in the radial direction. According to the present invention, when the hollow tube is bent and both sides of the gap come into contact, it becomes a line contact or a surface contact, which is more stable than a point contact, improving the axial supportability and the bending freedom.

[0031] In one embodiment, the gap is in a curved shape along the length direction of the gap. When the gap is curved around the axial axis so that the gap has a specific arc length and both sides of the gap come into contact, the contact position becomes a line contact or a surface contact. Therefore, the contact area is increased, and the bending freedom is improved.

[0032] This will be described with reference to the developed view of the hollow tube in FIG. 3. In one embodiment, the gap is in a crescent shape along the length direction of the gap. Therefore, when the gap is curved around the axial axis so that the gap has a specific arc length, the contact area where both sides of the gap come into contact is further increased, and the bending freedom is further improved.

[0033] This will be described with reference to FIG. 2. In one embodiment, both ends of the crescent-shaped gap are narrow, and stress relaxation cuts 101 are provided at both ends of the gap to reduce stress.

[0034] In one embodiment, the gap may have other curved shapes along the length direction of the gap. For example, when using the curved gap in FIG. 3 and both sides of the gap come into contact, the contact position can be a line contact or a surface contact.

[0035] This will be described with reference to FIG. 4. In one embodiment, the hollow tube has a plurality of sets of wire groove portions that sequentially extend along the axial direction of the hollow tube. The plurality of sets of wire groove portions include a first wire groove 21 and a second wire groove 22. The first wire groove 21 and the second wire groove 22 are respectively provided on opposite sides of the hollow tube. This will be described with reference to FIG. 4. In one embodiment, in order to provide the gap in an inclined manner, the first wire groove 21 and the second wire groove 22 are symmetric with each other. Therefore, the force is applied evenly and the processing becomes easier. This will be described with reference to FIG. 1. In the prior art, the wire grooves are provided one by one on the left and right and cannot be provided symmetrically. Therefore, the processing is complicated and the force cannot be applied evenly.

[0036] In one embodiment, by providing the gap in an inclined manner, the flexibility and the axial supportability are improved. Therefore, even if the wall thickness of the hollow tube is made thinner than a specific wall thickness value, the axial supportability can be satisfied. Thereby, the size of the endoscope can be reduced and the bending flexibility can be further improved.

[0037] In one embodiment, the specific angle is 10° to 45°, preferably 15° to 25°.

[0038] In one embodiment, by providing the gap in an inclined manner, flexibility and axial supportability are improved. Since the original flexibility is high, even if a hollow steel pipe with high flexibility and easy to form a wire groove is used as the hollow tube, the flexibility requirement can be satisfied. In the prior art, in order to satisfy the flexibility of the endoscope, nitinol is used instead of the steel pipe, but when forming a wire groove in nitinol, there is a drawback that it is prone to cracking.

[0039] In one embodiment, an endoscope is provided. The endoscope has a curved portion of the endoscope according to any of the above embodiments. In the specification of the present invention, the features, structures, materials, etc. in "one embodiment", "specific implementation method", "one example", etc. are not limited to the same embodiment, and they can be appropriately combined.

[0040] The above embodiments are disclosed to explain the present invention, but the present invention is not limited thereto. Any equivalent changes made by those skilled in the art based on the above embodiments are all included in the present invention.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0041] 1 Gap portion 11 First gap 12 Second gap 101 Stress relaxation notch 2 Wire groove portion 21 First wire groove 22 Second wire groove

Claims

1. A curved portion of an endoscope having a hollow tube, wherein the hollow tube has a plurality of sets of gap portions sequentially extending along the axial direction of the hollow tube, each of the plurality of sets of gap portions has at least one gap disposed in the circumferential direction of the hollow tube, along the length direction of the gap, one end or both ends of the gap have a specific angle with respect to the length direction and the radial direction of the hollow tube, the radial direction of the hollow tube is perpendicular to the axial direction of the hollow tube, a curved portion of an endoscope.

2. Each set of the gap portions has a first gap and a second gap, the first gap is disposed in a first circumferential direction of the hollow tube, the second gap is disposed in a second circumferential direction of the hollow tube, along the circumferential direction of the hollow tube, there is a specific relative positional difference between the first gap and the second gap, a curved portion of an endoscope according to Claim 1.

3. The gap is curved around the axial center in the axial direction so as to have a specific arc length, when both sides of the gap are in contact, the contact position is a line contact or a surface contact, a curved portion of an endoscope according to Claim 1.

4. The gap has a curved shape along the length direction of the gap, a curved portion of an endoscope according to Claim 3.

5. The gap has a crescent shape along the length direction of the gap, a curved portion of an endoscope according to Claim 4.

6. The hollow tube has a plurality of sets of wire groove portions sequentially extending along the axial direction of the hollow tube, each of the plurality of sets of wire groove portions has a first wire groove and a second wire groove, the first wire groove and the second wire groove are respectively provided on both opposite sides of the hollow tube, a curved portion of an endoscope according to Claim 1.

7. The first wire groove and the second wire groove are symmetric to each other, a curved portion of an endoscope according to Claim 6.

8. The wall thickness of the hollow tube is smaller than a specific wall thickness value, a curved portion of an endoscope according to Claim 1.

9. The specific angle is 10° to 45°, a curved portion of an endoscope according to any one of Claims 1 to 8.

10. The hollow tube is a hollow steel pipe, a curved portion of an endoscope according to any one of Claims 1 to 8.

11. having a curved portion of an endoscope according to any one of Claims 1 to 10, an endoscope.

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