Endoscopy

Abstract

The present invention provides an endoscope which enables easy attachment / removal of an angle knob.　An endoscope (10) comprises: an insertion part (12) which is to be inserted into a body, and first and second angle knobs (51), (52) which change the orientation of the tip end (12a) of the insertion part (12). An angle knob mounting shaft (60) is inserted through the first and second angle knobs (51), (52). An angle knob lock member (70) engages with the tip end of the angle knob mounting shaft (60), with a holding member (65) therebetween. The angle knob lock member (70) engages with the angle knob mounting shaft (60) such that movement of the first and second angle knobs (51), (52) toward the tip end of the angle knob mounting shaft (60) is restricted.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an endoscope. [Background technology]

[0002] Endoscopes for observing the inside of a subject's body are widely known. Endoscopes include an insertion section that is inserted into the subject's body and a control section that is connected to the proximal end of the insertion section. The control section includes an angle knob that changes the orientation of the tip of the insertion section when rotated, and an angle knob mounting shaft that is inserted through the rotation center of the angle knob and supports the angle knob rotatably.

[0003] As described in Patent Document 1 below, some endoscopes have angle knobs that are detachably attached to the control section. In such endoscopes, for example, the angle knob is shipped detached from the control section, and is attached to the control section when in use. By providing the angle knob in this detachable manner, it is possible, for example, to prepare multiple types of angle knobs with different outer diameters and allow the user to select which angle knob to attach and use. This allows the user to select the operating force required to bend the bending section depending on which angle knob is attached. Furthermore, Patent Document 2 below describes an attachment that can be placed over the angle knob. By placing an attachment over the angle knob in this way, it is possible to reduce the operating force required to bend the bending section. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 09-084754 [Patent Document 2] Utility Model Registration No. 3181928 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, conventional endoscopes have the problem that the angle knobs are attached using a complex structure or are fastened with screws, making them difficult to attach and detach easily.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned background, and has as its object to provide an endoscope in which an angle knob can be easily attached and detached. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to achieve the above object, the endoscope of the present invention comprises an insertion section that is inserted into the body of an object to be observed, an angle knob that changes the orientation of the tip of the insertion section as it is rotated, and an angle knob mounting shaft that is inserted into the rotation center of the angle knob and axially supports the angle knob so that it can rotate freely, and the angle knob is detached from the amble knob mounting shaft before use and is attached to the amble knob mounting shaft when in use, and also comprises an angle knob lock member that is detachably provided at the tip of the amble knob mounting shaft and restricts the angle knob attached to the angle knob mounting shaft from moving toward the tip of the amble knob mounting shaft, thereby preventing the angle knob from falling off.

[0008] The angle knob lock member may comprise a shaft portion provided on one of the angle knob lock member and the amble knob mounting shaft, and an opening provided on the other of the angle knob lock member and the amble knob mounting shaft, through which the shaft portion is inserted; the tip of the shaft portion is provided with a flange having a non-circular cross section perpendicular to the shaft portion, and the opening is formed in the same shape as the flange; and after the flange is passed through the opening, the angle knob lock member is attached to the amble knob mounting shaft by rotating around the shaft portion.

[0009] A support groove may be provided on the other of the angle knob lock member and the amble knob mounting shaft, which supports the flange that passes through the opening so that it can rotate freely around the shaft, and the width of the support groove may become narrower as the amount of rotation of the flange from the state where it passes through the opening increases, thereby increasing the force required to rotate the flange.

[0010] The angle knob lock member may comprise a shaft portion provided on the angle knob lock member, and an opening provided on the amble knob mounting shaft through which the shaft portion is inserted, wherein the tip of the shaft portion is provided with a protrusion that protrudes laterally from the shaft portion, and the inner circumference of the opening is provided with a first groove portion formed from the tip of the angle knob mounting shaft toward the base end, a second groove portion that is connected to the base end side of the angle knob mounting shaft of the first groove portion and has an arc shape centered on the angle knob mounting shaft, and a third groove portion that is connected to the second groove on the opposite side to the first groove and is formed from the base end side of the angle knob mounting shaft toward the tip end, and the angle knob lock member may be mounted on the angle knob mounting shaft by the protrusion passing through the first groove portion, second groove portion and third groove portion in that order.

[0011] A biasing member may be provided to bias the shaft portion from the base end side toward the tip end side of the angle knob attachment shaft.

[0012] The angle knob lock member may be provided with a shaft portion provided on the angle knob lock member and an opening provided on the amble knob mounting shaft through which the shaft portion is inserted, and the tip of the shaft portion may be provided with an expanding portion that expands toward the side of the shaft portion, and the angle knob lock member may be mounted on the amble knob mounting shaft by expanding the expanding portion within the opening.

[0013] A release portion may be provided at the back of the opening, which presses the deployment portion to release deployment when the angle knob lock member is pushed further into the opening.

[0014] The deployment portion may be cut off from the stem portion and dropped off when pressed, thereby releasing the deployment.

[0015] The angle knob lock member may include a retaining portion that engages with the deploying portion to hold the deploying portion near the shank, and the deploying portion may be engaged with the retaining portion and released from deployment when pressed.

[0016] A pressing member may be provided that is located closer to the tip of the amble knob mounting shaft than the angle knob, and the angle knob lock member may restrict movement of the angle knob toward the tip of the amble knob mounting shaft via the pressing member.

[0017] The pressing member may be integrated with the angle knob. [Effects of the Invention]

[0018] According to the present invention, an endoscope can be provided in which the angle knob can be easily attached and detached. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0019] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an external view of an endoscope. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the angle knob and its surroundings. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the angle knob lock member and the angle knob mounting shaft. [Figure 4] FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the angle knob and its surroundings. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the angle knob and its surroundings. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the angle knob and its surroundings. [Figure 8] FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the angle knob lock member and the pressing member. [Figure 9] FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the angle knob lock member and the pressing member. [Figure 10] FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the angle knob lock member and the pressing member. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the angle knob lock member and the angle knob mounting shaft. [Figure 12] FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the angle knob lock member and the angle knob mounting shaft. [Figure 13] FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the angle knob lock member and the angle knob mounting shaft. [Figure 14]FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the angle knob lock member and the angle knob mounting shaft. [Figure 15] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing how the angle knob lock member is attached to the angle knob attachment shaft. [Figure 16] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing how the angle knob lock member is attached to the angle knob attachment shaft. [Figure 17] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which the deployment of the deployment portion is released. [Figure 18] FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the angle knob lock member and the angle knob mounting shaft. [Figure 19] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing how the angle knob lock member is attached to the angle knob attachment shaft. [Figure 20] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing how the angle knob lock member is attached to the angle knob attachment shaft. [Figure 21] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which the deployment of the deployment portion is released. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0020] First Embodiment 1, an endoscope 10 includes an insertion section 12 that is inserted into the body of an observation subject. A tip 12a of the insertion section 12 is provided with an illumination window 14 that emits illumination light, an observation window 16 that receives reflected light from the observation subject, and a forceps outlet 20 that is an outlet for a treatment tool such as forceps that is inserted into the insertion section 12 from a forceps inlet 18.

[0021] A bending portion 30 is provided near the distal end 12a of the insertion portion 12. The bending portion 30 is provided so as to be bendable up, down, left, and right. Four wires, namely, first to fourth wires 31 to 34 (see FIG. 2 ), arranged inside the insertion portion 12 are connected to the bending portion 30. The bending portion 30 is bent in a first direction (upward in this embodiment) by pulling the first wire 31 toward the proximal end of the insertion portion 12. The bending portion 30 is bent in a second direction (downward in this embodiment) by pulling the second wire 32 toward the proximal end of the insertion portion 12. The bending portion 30 is bent in a third direction (leftward in this embodiment) by pulling the third wire 33 toward the proximal end of the insertion portion 12. The bending portion 30 is bent in a fourth direction (rightward in this embodiment) by pulling the fourth wire 34 toward the proximal end of the insertion portion 12.

[0022] The control section 40 is connected to the proximal end side of the insertion section 12. When the endoscope 10 is in use, first and second angle knobs 51, 52 are attached to the control section 40. The control section 40 is provided with a wire-pulling mechanism 55, and as shown in FIG. 2, the wire-pulling mechanism 55 is provided with an angle knob mounting shaft 60. A first insertion hole 51a is provided at the rotation center of the first angle knob 51, and the first angle knob 51 is rotatably supported on the angle knob mounting shaft 60 by inserting the angle knob mounting shaft 60 into the first insertion hole 51a. Furthermore, a second insertion hole 52a is provided at the rotation center of the second angle knob 52, and the second angle knob 52 is rotatably supported on the angle knob mounting shaft 60 by inserting the angle knob mounting shaft 60 into the second insertion hole 52a.

[0023] The wire-pulling mechanism 55 includes a first wire-pulling member 61 to which the first and second wires 31, 32 are connected, and when the first angle knob 51 is attached to the angle knob attachment shaft 60, the first angle knob 51 is coupled to the first wire-pulling member 61 and rotates integrally therewith. By rotating the first angle knob 51 in one direction (counterclockwise in this embodiment), the first wire 31 is pulled and the tip 12a of the insertion section 12 is directed upward, and by rotating it in the opposite direction (clockwise in this embodiment), the second wire 32 is pulled and the tip 12a of the insertion section 12 is directed downward.

[0024] The wire-pulling mechanism 55 also includes a second wire-pulling member 62 to which the third and fourth wires 33, 34 are connected, and when the second angle knob 52 is attached to the angle knob attachment shaft 60, the second angle knob 52 is coupled to the second wire-pulling member 62 and rotates integrally therewith. By rotating the second angle knob 52 in one direction (counterclockwise in this embodiment), the third wire 33 is pulled and the tip 12a of the insertion section 12 is turned leftward, and by rotating it in the opposite direction (clockwise in this embodiment), the fourth wire 34 is pulled and the tip 12a of the insertion section 12 is turned rightward.

[0025] 1 and 2, an angle knob lock member 70 is attached to the tip (upper end) of the angle knob mounting shaft 60 via a retaining member 65. The angle knob lock member 70 passes through a through-hole 67 formed in the center of the retaining member 65 and engages with the tip (upper end) of the angle knob mounting shaft 60, thereby being attached to the angle knob mounting shaft 60. By attaching the angle knob lock member 70 to the angle knob mounting shaft 60 in this manner, the upward movement of the retaining member 65, which is located below the angle knob lock member 70, and further the second angle knob 52, which is located below the retaining member 65, is restricted. Furthermore, by restricting the upward movement of the second angle knob 52, the upward movement of the first angle knob 51, which is located below the second angle knob 52, is also restricted.

[0026] As shown in Figure 3, the angle knob lock member 70 has a vertically long shaft portion 71, and a flange 72 having a non-circular cross section perpendicular to the shaft portion 71 is provided at the tip (lower end) of the shaft portion 71. The tip (upper end) of the angle knob mounting shaft 60 is provided with an opening 75 formed in the same shape as the flange 72, through which the flange 72 can pass when the angle knob lock member 70 is at a specific rotation angle (the rotation angle shown in Figure 3) around the shaft portion 71. By doing so, after the angle knob lock member 70 is rotated at the specific rotation angle so that the flange 72 passes through the opening 75, the angle knob lock member 70 can be rotated around the shaft portion 71, whereby the angle knob lock member 70 engages with the opening 75 (the tip of the angle knob mounting shaft 60) (the angle knob lock member 70 is mounted on the angle knob mounting shaft 60).

[0027] In this way, with the endoscope 10, the first and second angle knobs 51, 52 can be easily prevented from falling off simply by passing the flange 72 through the opening 75 and then rotating the angle knob lock member 70 (attaching of the first and second angle knobs 51, 52 is complete). Also, with the endoscope 10, the first and second angle knobs 51, 52 can be easily removed simply by rotating the angle knob lock member 70 to a specific rotation angle and then removing it.

[0028] 4, in the endoscope 10, a support groove 77 that supports the flange 72 that passes through the opening 75 is formed at the back of the opening 75 (on the base end side (lower side) of the angle knob mounting shaft 60). The angle knob lock member 70 (flange 72) is supported from above and below by this support groove 77, and is supported so as to be rotatable around the shaft portion 71.

[0029] In the endoscope 10, the width (vertical length) of the support groove 77 is narrowed as the amount of rotation of the angle knob lock member 70 (flange 72) increases from the state in which the flange 72 passes through the opening 75 (the state in which the angle knob lock member 70 is at the specific rotation angle described above). Specifically, if the width of the support groove 77 in the portion that supports the flange 72 when the angle knob lock member 70 is at the specific rotation angle is defined as "W1," and the width of the support groove 77 in the portion that supports the flange 72 when the angle knob lock member 70 has rotated 90 degrees around the shaft portion 71 from the specific rotation angle is defined as "W2," then "W1 > W2." The support groove 77 is formed so that its width gradually decreases from the position of width "W1" to the position of width "W2."

[0030] By doing so, in the endoscope 10, the more the angle knob lock member 70 is rotated from a specific rotation angle, the greater the frictional force between the flange 72 and the support groove 77, and the greater the force required to rotate the angle knob lock member 70 (flange 72). In other words, the more the angle knob lock member 70 is rotated, the more firmly the angle knob lock member 70 can be engaged with the angle knob mounting shaft 60. This helps prevent problems such as the angle knob lock member 70 falling off while the endoscope 10 is in use.

[0031] In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the angle knob lock member 70 is provided with a flange 72 and the angle knob mounting shaft 60 is provided with an opening 75 through which the flange 72 passes, but the opposite configuration may also be used, as shown in Figure 5. In the explanation using Figure 5 and subsequent figures, the same members as in the above embodiment are given the same reference numerals and their explanations are omitted.

[0032] 5, the angle knob mounting shaft 60 is provided with a flange 72A that functions similarly to the previously described flange 72. The angle knob lock member 70A has a rod-shaped shaft portion 71A, and an opening 75A that functions similarly to the previously described opening 75 is provided at the lower end of the shaft portion 71A. Furthermore, the angle knob lock member 70A is provided with a support groove 77A that functions similarly to the previously described support groove 77 at the back of the opening 75A (inside the shaft portion 71A).

[0033] 5, the above-mentioned retaining member 65 (see FIG. 2) has been eliminated, and the angle knob lock member 70A is attached to the angle knob mounting shaft 60, thereby preventing the second angle knob 52 from falling off. Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, a retaining ring 52R is formed integrally with the second angle knob 52, and when the angle knob lock member 70A is attached to the angle knob mounting shaft 60, the lower end of the angle knob lock member 70A is positioned above the retaining ring 52R, preventing the second angle knob 52 from falling off (restricting upward movement).

[0034] Furthermore, in the example of Fig. 5, when the angle knob lock member 70A is attached to the angle knob mounting shaft 60, the angle knob lock member 70A is configured to be covered from the side. Specifically, as shown in Figs. 6 and 7, a cylindrical cover 52C is provided on the upper part 52U of the second angle knob 52, and when the angle knob lock member 70A is attached to the angle knob mounting shaft 60, the angle knob lock member 70A is positioned on the inner peripheral part of the cover 52C. This makes it possible to prevent problems such as unintentionally touching the angle knob lock member 70A and disengaging the angle knob lock member 70A from the angle knob mounting shaft 60.

[0035] 5, 6, and 7, in this example, an O-ring 79 made of a flexible material such as resin is provided between the angle knob lock member 70A and (the upper part 52U of) the second angle knob 52. This improves the airtightness between the angle knob lock member 70A and (the upper part 52U of) the second angle knob 52. In this example, the upper part 52U and lower part 52L of the angle knob lock member 70A are integrated by screwing, but the upper part 52U and lower part 52L of the angle knob lock member 70A may remain separate, or may be integrated by a method other than screwing, such as by bonding or by integrally molding the upper part 52U and lower part 52L.

[0036] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, an example was described in which the angle knob lock member engages with the angle knob mounting shaft 60, but a configuration in which the angle knob lock member engages with the pressing member 65 in addition to the angle knob mounting shaft 60 may also be used, such as the angle knob lock member 80 shown in FIG. 8, the angle knob lock member 90 shown in FIG. 9, and the angle knob lock member 90A shown in FIG. 10.

[0037] The angle knob lock member 80 shown in FIG. 8, the angle knob lock member 90 shown in FIG. 9, and the angle knob lock member 90A shown in FIG. 10 have a flange 72 formed at the tip of the shaft portion 71, just like the angle knob lock member 70 described above. The flange 72 is inserted into the opening 75 at a specific rotation angle, and the shaft portion 71 is rotated 90 degrees around the flange 72 to engage with the angle knob mounting shaft 60.

[0038] The angle knob lock member 80 shown in Figure 8 has an arm 81 at its top that extends laterally from the shaft 71, and a crank-shaped engagement protrusion 82 that bends downward and then extends laterally from the shaft 71 is formed at the tip of the arm 81. Meanwhile, the pressing member 65 has an engagement opening 83 formed so that the engagement protrusion 82 can be inserted and removed at a specific rotation angle, but cannot be inserted and removed when the angle knob lock member 80 is rotated beyond the specific rotation angle. As a result, when the angle knob lock member 80 is attached to the angle knob mounting shaft 60, the engagement protrusion 82 engages with the engagement opening 83 and then with the pressing member 65, restricting upward movement of the angle knob lock member 80.

[0039] 9 is provided with an engagement protrusion 91 on the top that protrudes laterally from the shaft portion 71. Meanwhile, the pressing member 65 is provided with an engagement groove 92 that engages with the engagement protrusion 91 when the angle knob lock member 70 is rotated a predetermined angle from a specific angle (in the example of FIG. 9, rotated 90 degrees from a specific rotation angle). As a result, when the angle knob lock member 90 is rotated a predetermined angle from a specific rotation angle in connection with attachment to the angle knob mounting shaft 60, the engagement protrusion 91 engages with the engagement groove 92 and engages with the pressing member 65, thereby restricting rotation about the shaft portion 71.

[0040] Furthermore, the angle knob lock member 90A shown in Figure 10 has a flange 90C between the upper part 90B and the flange 72. Like the flange 72, the flange 90C has a non-circular cross section perpendicular to the shaft portion 71. Meanwhile, a through hole 67A is formed in the holding member 65. Like the opening 75, the through hole 67A is provided so that the flange 72 and the flange 90C can pass through it when the angle knob lock member 90A is at a specific rotation angle around the shaft portion 71. As a result, when the angle knob lock member 90A is attached to the angle knob mounting shaft 60, the flange 72 engages with the opening 75 and the flange 90C engages with the through hole 67A, so that the holding member 65 is sandwiched between the upper part 90B and flange 90C of the angle knob lock member 90A.

[0041] In the above embodiment, the angle knob lock member and the pressing member are provided separately, but they may be integrated by gluing, screwing, integral molding, etc. Also, instead of integrating the pressing member with the angle knob lock member, the pressing member may be integrated with the angle knob (in the above embodiment, the second angle knob 52).

[0042] Second Embodiment 11, an angle knob lock member 100 of the second embodiment has a projection 101 that protrudes laterally from the tip of the shaft 71, instead of a flange 72. Also, in the second embodiment, a cylindrical opening 102 is formed at the tip of the angle knob mounting shaft 60, and a groove 103 is provided on the inner periphery of the opening 102. The groove 103 is composed of a first groove 103a formed from the tip of the angle knob mounting shaft 60 toward the base end (downward), a second groove 103b connected to the lower end of the first groove 103a and shaped like a (horizontal) arc centered on the angle knob mounting shaft 60, and a third groove 103c connected to the second groove 103b on the side opposite to the first groove 103a and formed from the base end side of the angle knob mounting shaft 60 toward the tip end side (upward).

[0043] The angle knob lock member 70 is attached to the angle knob mounting shaft 60 by having the protrusion 101 pass through the first groove portion 103a, the second groove portion 103b, and the third groove portion 103c in that order and engage with the terminal end portion of the groove portion 103 (the upper end portion of the third groove portion 103c). Specifically, with the protrusion 101 engaged with the first groove portion 103a, the angle knob lock member 70 is moved downward along the first groove portion 103a, rotated along the second groove portion 103b by a predetermined angle (90 degrees in the example of FIG. 11) around the shaft portion 71, and then moved upward along the third groove portion 103c, thereby being attached to the angle knob mounting shaft 60.

[0044] Note that a biasing member such as a spring that biases the angle knob lock member 70 upward may be built into the amble knob mounting shaft 60, and the biasing force of this biasing member may cause the angle knob lock member 70 to move upward along the third groove portion 103c. Also, as in the angle knob lock member 110 shown in Figure 12, a biasing member built into the angle knob lock member 110 may cause the protrusion 101 to move upward along the third groove portion 103c.

[0045] 12, the angle knob lock member 110 comprises a main body 111 having an upper end, a shaft portion 71, and a protrusion 101 integrally formed therewith, and a cylindrical body 112 provided on the outer periphery of the main body 111. The main body 111 is supported by the cylindrical body 112 so as to be able to slide vertically, and the protrusion 101 protrudes from a vertically long protrusion opening 113 formed in the cylindrical body 112, and moves vertically along the protrusion opening 113 as the main body 111 slides.

[0046] The cylindrical body 112 has a built-in biasing member (not shown) that biases the main body 111 upward. The angle knob lock member 70 moves downward while engaging the protrusion 101 with the first groove portion 103a, and by pushing the main body 111 downward into the cylindrical body 112, the protrusion 101 moves downward and can be rotated along the second groove portion 103b. When the protrusion 101 is rotated to the position of the third groove portion 103c, the main body 111 (protrusion 101) moves upward due to the bias of the biasing member and engages with the angle knob mounting shaft 60.

[0047] In the second embodiment, an example was described in which the opening 102 and groove 103 are provided in the angle knob mounting shaft 60 and the protrusion 101 is provided in the angle knob lock members 100, 110, but the opposite configuration may also be used. In other words, the opening and groove may be provided in the angle knob lock member and the protrusion may be provided on the angle knob mounting shaft.

[0048] <Third embodiment> As shown in Figure 13, the angle knob lock member 120 of the third embodiment has a cylindrical shaft portion 71. Meanwhile, the tip (upper end) of the angle knob mounting shaft 60 is formed with an outer cylinder 121 that supports the shaft portion 71 from the outer periphery, and an insertion pin 122 that is inserted into the inner periphery of the shaft portion 71. In the third embodiment, when the tip ends of the angle knob lock member 120 and the angle knob mounting shaft 60 are placed face to face, the angle knob lock member 120 is pressed downward, whereby the shaft portion 71 is clamped from the inside and outside by the outer cylinder 121 and the insertion pin 122. This causes the angle knob lock member 120 to engage with the angle knob mounting shaft 60.

[0049] In the third embodiment, the angle knob mounting shaft 60 is provided with an insertion pin 122, which is inserted into the angle knob lock member 120 (shaft portion 71) from below, but the present invention is not limited to this. The insertion pin may be provided separately from the angle knob mounting shaft 60 and the angle knob lock member 120, and inserted into the angle knob lock member 120 from above.

[0050] <Fourth embodiment> As shown in FIG. 14 , the angle knob lock member 130 of the fourth embodiment has an unfolding portion 131 at the tip of the shaft portion 71 that unfolds toward the side of the shaft portion 71. At least a portion of the unfolding portion 131 is formed from an elastic material. As shown in FIG. 15 , the angle knob lock member 130 elastically deforms the unfolding portion 131 downward and passes through an opening 132 provided at the tip of the angle knob mounting shaft 60. As shown in FIG. 16 , after passing through the opening 132, the unfolding portion 131 returns to its original state before elastic deformation due to a restoring force from the elastic deformation. In other words, the unfolding portion 131 unfolds inside (at the back of) the opening 132. As the unfolding portion 131 unfolds inside the opening 132 in this way, the angle knob lock member 130 and the angle knob mounting shaft 60 engage with each other.

[0051] In the fourth embodiment, the angle knob mounting shaft 60 is provided with a release portion 133. The release portion 133 is an opening slightly smaller than the opening 132 and located at the rear (below) of the opening 132. By providing the release portion 133 in this manner, when the angle knob lock member 70 is pushed further into the opening 132 from the state in which it is engaged with the angle knob mounting shaft 60 (the state shown in FIG. 16), the release portion 133 bends and cuts the unfolding portion 131 upward, as shown in FIG. 17, and the unfolding portion 131 is separated from the shaft portion 71 (the unfolding of the unfolding portion 131 is released). This allows the angle knob lock member 130 to be removed from the angle knob mounting shaft 60. In the fourth embodiment, a notch 134 is provided below the base end of the unfolding portion 131. Providing the notch 134 in this manner makes it easier to cut the unfolding portion 131.

[0052] Fifth Embodiment As shown in Fig. 18, an angle knob lock member 140 of the fifth embodiment is provided with an expanding portion 141 at the tip of a shaft portion 71, which expands to the side of the shaft portion 71. At least a portion of the expanding portion 141 is formed from an elastic body. When no external force is applied, the expanding portion 141 expands to the side of the shaft portion 71 (see Figs. 18 and 20), and when pressed toward the shaft portion 71, it elastically deforms in two stages (see Figs. 19 and 21).

[0053] The first stage of elastic deformation is elastic deformation within a range in which claw portions 142 provided at the tip of unfolding portion 141 are positioned outside retaining portions 143 provided on shaft portion 71 (see FIG. 19), and unfolding portion 141 that has undergone the first stage of elastic deformation returns to its state before elastic deformation (see FIGS. 18 and 20) when the pressure toward shaft portion 71 is released. The second stage of elastic deformation is elastic deformation in which claw portions 142 move over retaining portions 143 provided on shaft portion 71 and move to the inside of retaining portions 143 (see FIG. 21), and unfolding portion 141 that has undergone the second stage of elastic deformation is held in the vicinity of shaft portion 71 even after the pressure toward shaft portion 71 is released due to claw portions 142 engaging with retaining portions 143. In this way, even if the unfolding section 141 undergoes the first stage of deformation, it returns to the unfolded state from the shaft section 71 when the external force is released, but if it undergoes the second stage of deformation, it does not return to the unfolded state even when the external force is released, but is maintained in the unfolded state (held near the shaft section 71).

[0054] 19, the angle knob lock member 140 elastically deforms the unfolding portion 141 to a first stage and passes through an opening 144 provided at the tip of the angle knob mounting shaft 60. As shown in FIG. 20, after passing through the opening 144, the unfolding portion 141 returns to its state before elastic deformation (a state in which the unfolding portion 141 is unfolded). In other words, the unfolding portion 141 unfolds inside the opening 144. In this way, as the unfolding portion 141 unfolds inside the opening 144, the angle knob lock member 140 and the angle knob mounting shaft 60 engage with each other.

[0055] Moreover, in the fifth embodiment, the angle knob mounting shaft 60 is provided with a release portion 145. The release portion 145 is a mortar-shaped opening provided at the back (below) of the opening 144, and by pushing the angle knob lock member 140 further into the opening 144 from the state in which it is engaged with the angle knob mounting shaft 60 (the state shown in FIG. 20), the release portion 145 presses the unfolding portion 141 toward the shaft portion 71, as shown in FIG. 21, and the unfolding portion 141 elastically deforms up to a second stage. This releases the unfolded state of the unfolding portion 141, and the angle knob lock member 140 can be removed from the angle knob mounting shaft 60.

[0056] In the fourth and fifth embodiments, the angle knob lock member is provided with a shaft portion and an expanding portion, and the angle knob mounting shaft is provided with an opening through which the shaft portion is inserted and a release portion that releases the expansion of the expanding portion. However, the opposite configuration may also be used. In other words, the angle knob mounting shaft may be provided with a shaft portion and an expanding portion, and the angle knob lock member may be provided with an opening and a release portion. [Explanation of symbols]

[0057] 10 Endoscopy 12 Insertion section 12a tip 14 Lighting window 16 Observation window 18 Forceps opening 20 Forceps exit 30 Curved section 31 First Wire 32 Second Wire 33 Third Wire 34 4th Wire 40 Control section 51 First angle knob 51a First insertion hole 52 Second angle knob 52a Second insertion hole 52R retaining ring 52U upper 52L lower 52C cover 55 Wire traction mechanism 60 Angle knob mounting shaft 61 First wire pulling member 62 Second wire pulling member 65 Retaining member 67, 67A through hole 70, 70A Angle knob locking member 71, 71A shaft part 72, 72A flange 75, 75A opening 77, 77A Support groove 79 O-ring 80 Angle knob lock member 81 Arm 82 Engagement protrusion 83 Engagement opening 90, 90A Angle knob locking member 90B upper part 90C flange 91 Engagement protrusion 92 Engagement groove 100 Angle knob lock member 101 Protrusion 102 Aperture 103 Groove 103a 1st groove 103b Second groove 103c 3rd groove 110 Angle knob lock member 111 Main Unit 112 Cylinder 113 Projection opening 120 Angle knob lock member 121 Outer cylinder 122 Insertion pin 130 Angle knob lock member 131 Development Section 132 Aperture 133 Release section 134 Notch 140 Angle knob lock member 141 Development Section 142 Claw 143 Holding part 144 Aperture 145 Release section

Claims

1. an endoscope comprising an insertion section to be inserted into the body of an observation subject, an angle knob that changes the orientation of the tip of the insertion section as the angle knob is rotated, and an angle knob attachment shaft that is inserted into the rotation center of the angle knob and axially supports the angle knob so that it can rotate freely, wherein the angle knob is detached from the amble knob attachment shaft before use and is attached to the amble knob attachment shaft when in use; an angle knob lock member that is detachably provided at the tip of the amble knob mounting shaft and that restricts the angle knob mounted on the angle knob mounting shaft from moving toward the tip of the amble knob mounting shaft, thereby preventing the angle knob from falling off; a shaft portion provided on one of the angle knob lock member and the amble knob mounting shaft; an opening provided on the other of the angle knob lock member and the amble knob mounting shaft, through which the shaft portion is inserted; A flange having a non-circular cross section perpendicular to the shaft portion is provided at the tip of the shaft portion, The opening is formed in the same shape as the flange, The angle knob lock member is attached to the amble knob attachment shaft by rotating the flange about the shaft portion after the flange is inserted into the opening.

2. a support groove provided on the other of the angle knob lock member and the amble knob mounting shaft, the support groove supporting the flange passing through the opening so as to be rotatable about the shaft portion; 2. The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the width of the support groove narrows as the amount of rotation of the flange from the state where it has passed through the opening increases, and the force required to rotate the flange increases.

3. an endoscope comprising an insertion section to be inserted into the body of an observation subject, an angle knob that changes the orientation of the tip of the insertion section as the angle knob is rotated, and an angle knob attachment shaft that is inserted into the rotation center of the angle knob and axially supports the angle knob so that it can rotate freely, wherein the angle knob is detached from the amble knob attachment shaft before use and is attached to the amble knob attachment shaft when in use; an angle knob lock member that is detachably provided at the tip of the amble knob mounting shaft and that restricts the angle knob mounted on the angle knob mounting shaft from moving toward the tip of the amble knob mounting shaft, thereby preventing the angle knob from falling off; a shaft portion provided on the angle knob lock member; an opening provided in the amble knob attachment shaft and through which the shaft portion is inserted; A protrusion protruding laterally from the tip of the shaft portion is provided, The inner periphery of the opening is provided with a first groove formed from the tip end of the angle knob mounting shaft toward the base end, a second groove connected to the base end side of the angle knob mounting shaft of the first groove and having an arc shape centered on the angle knob mounting shaft, and a third groove connected to the second groove on the side opposite to the first groove and formed from the base end side of the angle knob mounting shaft toward the tip end, The angle knob lock member is attached to the angle knob attachment shaft by passing the protrusion through the first groove, the second groove, and the third groove in this order.

4. 4. The endoscope according to claim 3, further comprising a biasing member for biasing the shaft portion from the base end side toward the tip end side of the angle knob attachment shaft.

5. an endoscope comprising an insertion section to be inserted into the body of an observation subject, an angle knob that changes the orientation of the tip of the insertion section as the angle knob is rotated, and an angle knob attachment shaft that is inserted into the rotation center of the angle knob and axially supports the angle knob so that it can rotate freely, wherein the angle knob is detached from the amble knob attachment shaft before use and is attached to the amble knob attachment shaft when in use; an angle knob lock member that is detachably provided at the tip of the amble knob mounting shaft and that restricts the angle knob mounted on the angle knob mounting shaft from moving toward the tip of the amble knob mounting shaft, thereby preventing the angle knob from falling off; a shaft portion provided on the angle knob lock member; an opening provided in the amble knob attachment shaft and through which the shaft portion is inserted; An extension portion that extends laterally from the shaft portion is provided at the tip of the shaft portion, The endoscope in which the angle knob lock member is attached to the amble knob attachment shaft by the deployment portion being deployed within the opening.

6. 6. The endoscope according to claim 5, further comprising a release portion provided at the back of the opening for pressing the deployment portion to release the deployment when the angle knob lock member is pushed further into the opening.

7. The endoscope according to claim 6, wherein the deployment section is cut off and dropped from the shaft section by the pressure, and the deployment is released.

8. the angle knob lock member includes a retaining portion that engages with the expanding portion to retain the expanding portion adjacent to the shank; The endoscope according to claim 6 , wherein the deployment portion is engaged with the holding portion by the pressing, and the deployment is released.

9. a pressing member disposed closer to the tip of the amble knob mounting shaft than the angle knob; 9. The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the angle knob lock member restricts movement of the angle knob toward the distal end of the amble knob mounting shaft via the pressing member.

10. The endoscope according to claim 9, wherein the pressing member is integrated with the angle knob.

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