Connecting structure of passive bending section and housing, endoscope handle, and endoscope

Abstract

Provided are a connecting structure of a passive bending section and a housing, an endoscope handle, and an endoscope. The housing is provided with a mounting opening. The proximal end of the passive bending section is inserted into the housing by means of the mounting opening, and the passive bending section is coated with a first protective layer and a second protective layer. In an axial direction of the passive bending section, the length of the first protective layer is greater than that of the second protective layer. The second protective layer is arranged at a position of the passive bending section corresponding to the mounting opening. The second protective layer and the first protective layer are arranged in an overlapped mode. The position of the passive bending section corresponding to the mounting opening is protected by means of the first protective layer and the second protective layer, the hardness of the passive bending section is improved, the possibility of stress concentration of the passive bending section is reduced, and therefore the situation that the passive bending section is structurally damaged due to stress concentration is avoided, and the structural integrity of the passive bending section is maintained.

Description

A passive bending section connection structure to the housing, an endoscope handle, and an endoscope. Technical Field

[0001] This application belongs to the field of endoscope technology, specifically relating to a connection structure between a passively bent section and a housing, an endoscope handle, and an endoscope. Background Technology

[0002] As a medical diagnostic instrument, an endoscope can be inserted into the body to capture images of lesions, providing doctors with sufficient diagnostic information to treat diseases.

[0003] An endoscope consists of an insertion section and a housing, with the insertion section extending into the housing. During use, as the operator adjusts the endoscope's position, removes or inserts the insertion section into the cavity, the connection between the insertion section and the housing is prone to damage, affecting the normal use of the insertion section. Utility Model Content

[0004] The purpose of this application is to provide a connection structure between a passive bending section and a housing, an endoscope handle, and an endoscope, thereby solving the aforementioned technical problems existing in the prior art.

[0005] This application is implemented as follows:

[0006] In a first aspect, embodiments of this application provide a connection structure between a passively bent section and a housing. The housing has an installation opening, and the proximal end of the passively bent section is inserted into the housing through the installation opening. The passively bent section is covered with a first protective layer and a second protective layer. Along the axial direction of the passively bent section, the length of the first protective layer is greater than the length of the second protective layer. The second protective layer is disposed at the part of the passively bent section corresponding to the installation opening, and the second protective layer overlaps with the first protective layer.

[0007] Secondly, embodiments of this application provide an endoscope handle, including the connection structure between the passive bending section and the housing provided in the first aspect embodiment.

[0008] Thirdly, embodiments of this application provide an endoscope, including the endoscope handle provided in the second aspect embodiment.

[0009] The technical solution provided in this application can achieve the following beneficial effects:

[0010] In this application, by covering the passive bending section with a first protective layer and a second protective layer, and by overlapping the two protective layers, the strength of the outer protective layer of the passive bending section is improved, thereby enhancing the rigidity of the passive bending section. Furthermore, by placing the second protective layer at the location corresponding to the installation opening in the passive bending section, the rigidity of that section of the passive bending section is increased. This prevents stress concentration in the passive bending section during use when it comes into contact with the edge of the installation opening, thus avoiding structural damage and maintaining the structural integrity of the passive bending section. Attached Figure Description

[0011] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments of this application or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0012] Figure 1 is an overall schematic diagram of the connection structure between the passive bending section and the shell provided in some embodiments of this application;

[0013] Figure 2 is a detail view of point A in Figure 2;

[0014] Figure 3 is a partial cross-sectional view of the connection structure between the passive bending section and the shell provided in some embodiments of this application;

[0015] Figure 4 is a detailed view of point B in Figure 3;

[0016] Figure 5 is a detailed view of point C in Figure 3;

[0017] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of the connection head and the shell body provided in some embodiments of this application;

[0018] Figure 7 is a partial structural schematic diagram of the shell body provided in some embodiments of this application;

[0019] Figure 8 is a partially disassembled schematic diagram of the connection structure between the passive bending section and the shell provided in some embodiments of this application;

[0020] Figure 9 is a schematic diagram of the fit between the elastic sleeve and the nut provided in some embodiments of this application.

[0021] In the diagram: 100-shell, 110-shell body, 111-limiting groove, 120-elastic sheath, 121-installation opening, 130-nut, 200-passive bending section, 210-spiral cut, 310-first protective layer, 320-second protective layer, 400-connector, 410-plug protrusion, 411-first protrusion, 412-second protrusion. Detailed Implementation

[0022] The following description provides many different embodiments or examples for implementing various features of this application. The elements and arrangements described in the specific examples below are only for concise expression of this application and are merely examples, not intended to limit this application.

[0023] In various embodiments of this application, "proximal end" and "distal end" refer to the position of the endoscope and its accessories relative to the user in the usage environment. The end closer to the user is designated as the "proximal end", and the end farther from the user is designated as the "distal end".

[0024] In related technologies, the insertion section includes an active bending section and a passive bending section. The passive bending section is inserted into and connected to the endoscope housing. The passive bending section has a certain degree of elasticity and can bend under external force. However, during use, the connection between the passive bending section and the housing is prone to damage.

[0025] The inventors discovered that the shell has higher structural strength and is more rigid compared to the passively bent section. During the use of the passively bent section, as the operating posture is adjusted, or the insertion part is inserted into or removed from the cavity, the position of the passively bent section will shift. Stress concentration is likely to occur at the connection point between the passively bent section and the shell. Due to the lower hardness of the passively bent section, its structure is more prone to damage.

[0026] In view of this, the present application provides a connection structure between the passive bending section and the shell. Referring to Figures 1 to 8, by increasing the hardness of the passive bending section 200, the risk of damage to the passive bending section 200 is reduced.

[0027] The housing 100 refers to the housing 100 of the endoscope handle, which has a mounting opening 121. The proximal end of the passively bent section 200 is inserted into the housing 100 through the mounting opening 121. The size of the mounting opening 121 is slightly larger than the size of the passively bent section 200, facilitating the passage of the passively bent section 200 through the mounting opening 121. Therefore, the passively bent section 200 has a certain amount of room for movement within the mounting opening 121, causing it to shift position under external force and easily come into contact with the edge of the mounting opening 121.

[0028] The passively bent section 200 is covered by a first protective layer 310 and a second protective layer 320, which overlap. The length of the first protective layer 310 is greater than the length of the second protective layer 320, as shown in Figures 3, 4, and 5. The length of the protective layer refers to its axial length along the passively bent section 200. The protective layers increase the stiffness of the passively bent section 200 and reduce the impact of external forces. At the overlapping section of the first and second protective layers 310, the total thickness of the outer protective layers of the passively bent section 200 increases, and the strength of the protective layers also increases. Correspondingly, the constraint effect of the two protective layers on the passively bent section 200 is stronger, and the stiffness of the passively bent section 200 covered by the two protective layers also increases. With the increased stiffness, the structure of the passively bent section 200 is less prone to damage.

[0029] In some embodiments of this application, a shorter second protective layer 320 is disposed at the portion of the passively bent section 200 corresponding to the mounting opening 121. The portion of the passively bent section 200 corresponding to the mounting opening 121 refers to the part where the passively bent section 200 will abut against the edge of the mounting opening 121 under external force. By covering this location with the second protective layer 320, the rigidity of the passively bent section 200 at that location is increased, preventing structural damage caused by contact with the mounting opening 121 during use. This ensures the structural integrity of the passively bent section 200, facilitating the normal use of the insertion part.

[0030] In some embodiments of this application, the first protective layer 310 generally covers the entire passively bent section 200, while the second protective layer 320 focuses on covering the section of the passively bent section 200 corresponding to the mounting opening 121, thereby reducing the possibility of damage at the connection between the passively bent section 200 and the housing 100. The first protective layer 310 and the second protective layer 320 are generally made of the same material; in specific implementations, a heat-shrinkable material can be selected.

[0031] Referring to Figures 1 and 2, in some embodiments of this application, the housing 100 includes a housing body 110 and an elastic sleeve 120. The housing body 110 has a higher hardness than the elastic sleeve 120, and is used by the operator to grip and control the position of the endoscope handle. The elastic sleeve 120 has lower hardness and a certain degree of elasticity, and can absorb at least part of the impact force while maintaining structural integrity under external impact. The elastic sleeve 120 is installed at the distal end of the housing body 110, and an installation opening 121 on the housing 100 is provided in the elastic sleeve 120, which is then fitted over the passively bent section 200.

[0032] Because the elastic sleeve 120 has a certain degree of elasticity, after the elastic sleeve 120 wraps around the passively bent section 200, even if the passively bent section 200 shifts position and comes into contact with the elastic sleeve 120 during use, the elastic sleeve 120 can deform accordingly under the contact of the passively bent section 200, absorbing the impact force caused by the passively bent section 200. This avoids damage to the structure of the passively bent section 200 caused by the impact force, and further avoids the passively bent section 200 from experiencing stress concentration. The elastic sleeve 120, together with the first protective layer 310 and the second protective layer 320, protects the passively bent section 200, further reducing the risk of damage to the passively bent section 200 during use.

[0033] In some preferred embodiments, a portion of the second protective layer 320 is located inside the elastic sleeve 120, and another portion is located outside the elastic sleeve 120. With this arrangement, the protective effect on the passively bent section 200 decreases in a stepped manner along the axial direction of the passively bent section 200. The portion of the passively bent section 200 located inside the elastic sleeve 120 is protected by the elastic sleeve 120, the first protective layer 310, and the second protective layer 320. The portion of the passively bent section 200 located outside and adjacent to the elastic sleeve 120 is protected by the first protective layer 310 and the second protective layer 320. The protective effect on the passively bent section 200 on both the inner and outer sides of the elastic sleeve 120 is not significantly different, and stress concentration is less likely to occur at the boundary between the two, further preventing structural damage to the passively bent section 200.

[0034] The length of the second protective layer 320 should not be too short. If the second protective layer 320 is too short, the length of the second protective layer 320 outside the elastic sleeve 120 will be short. This means that the section of the passively bent section 200 protected by the elastic sleeve 120, the first protective layer 310, and the second protective layer 320 will be too close to the section of the passively bent section 200 protected only by the first protective layer 310, making stress concentration more likely in the passively bent section 200. Therefore, in some preferred embodiments, considering the size of the endoscope, the length of the portion of the second protective layer 320 outside the elastic sleeve 120 needs to be greater than or equal to one centimeter. This ensures that stress concentration is not easily observed between the passively bent section 200 and the installation opening 121, and also prevents structural damage to the passively bent sections 200 located on the inner and outer sides of the elastic sleeve 120 due to excessively large differences in the protective effect.

[0035] The second protective layer 320 covers the passively bent section 200, increasing the radial dimension of the insertion portion corresponding to that part of the passively bent section 200. However, in actual use, the size of the insertion portion needs to be set as small as possible to facilitate insertion into the cavity and improve the smoothness of insertion. Therefore, the length of the second protective layer 320 should not be too long. If the length of the second protective layer 320 is too long, it will increase the radial dimension of the insertion portion and increase the difficulty of insertion. In some preferred embodiments, the length of the second protective layer 320 is less than ten centimeters to avoid the presence of the second protective layer 320 affecting the insertion of the insertion portion. During the use of the endoscope, the part of the insertion portion near the handle does not need to be inserted into the cavity, and the second protective layer 320 is located near the handle of the endoscope. Therefore, by limiting the length of the second protective layer 320, it is possible to prevent the second protective layer 320 from being inserted into the cavity.

[0036] The housing body 110 is typically divided into two parts to facilitate the installation of various components inside. Corresponding to the structure of the housing body 110, the elastic sleeve 120 is preferably detachably connected to the housing body 110. This allows the elastic sleeve 120 to be attached to the housing body 110 after assembly. Various detachable connection methods exist between the elastic sleeve 120 and the housing body 110, such as threaded connections, snap-fit ​​connections, plug-in connections, and expansion connections. In some embodiments of this application, a threaded connection is provided between the elastic sleeve 120 and the housing body 110. During the installation of the elastic sleeve 120, its radial position within the passively bent section 200 generally does not shift, preventing the elastic sleeve 120 from contacting the passively bent section 200 during installation and thus avoiding damage to its structure.

[0037] The proximal end of the elastic sleeve 120 abuts against the distal end of the housing body 110, thereby sealing the gap at the connection point and preventing external impurities from entering the housing 100 through the gap and affecting the normal operation of various components inside the housing 100. Furthermore, after the elastic sleeve 120 abuts against the housing body 110, its position is stable and less prone to displacement, providing better support for the passively bent section 200. There are various sealing methods between the elastic sleeve 120 and the housing body 110, including a frosted seal and a compression seal. When the elastic sleeve 120 abuts against the housing body 110, it is compressed, thus sealing and further stabilizing the position of the elastic sleeve 120.

[0038] The threaded connection between the elastic sleeve 120 and the shell body 110 can be that the shell body 110 has threads and the elastic sleeve 120 is fitted onto the component, or the shell body 110 has a threaded component installed inside it and the elastic sleeve 120 is threadedly connected to the component.

[0039] In some embodiments of this application, a threaded slit is provided on the passive bending section 200, as shown in Figures 3 to 5. The threaded slit reduces the stiffness of the passive bending section 200, allowing it to bend along with the active bending section. The proximal end of the threaded slit on the passive bending section 200 is located inside the elastic sheath 120, and is jointly covered by the elastic sheath 120, the first protective layer 310, and the second protective layer 320. Compared to other locations, the proximal end of the threaded slit has lower structural strength and is more prone to deformation. Placing the proximal end of the threaded slit inside the elastic sheath 120 can further reduce the bending deformation of the passive bending section 200, thereby reducing the deformation of the proximal end of the threaded slit. This helps to reduce or prevent stress concentration and structural damage at this part of the passive bending section 200.

[0040] The first protective layer 310 and the second protective layer 320 are overlapped. In some embodiments, the second protective layer 320 may cover the first protective layer 310; in other embodiments, the first protective layer 310 may cover the second protective layer 320. Since the first protective layer 310 is relatively long and the second protective layer 320 is relatively short, it is preferable that the first protective layer 310 covers the second protective layer 320. Referring to Figure 4, the first protective layer 310 can be used to protect the second protective layer 320, preventing damage to the structure of the second protective layer 320 and thus preventing delamination between it and the first protective layer 310.

[0041] A connector 400 is fixedly sleeved on the outer side of the passively bent section 200. The connector 400 is used to fix the passively bent section 200 to the housing 100, thus completing the fixation between the passively bent section 200 and the housing 100. Specifically, part of the connector 400 is located inside the housing body 110, and part is located inside the elastic sleeve 120. A plugging protrusion 410 is provided at the proximal end of the connector 400. The housing body 110 has a limiting groove 111 corresponding to the plugging protrusion 410. The plugging protrusion 410 is installed in the limiting groove 111 so that the connector 400 is limited and engaged with the housing body 110 in its circumferential and axial directions, preventing the connector 400 from deviating from its preset position in the housing body 110 and affecting the positional stability of the passively bent section 200.

[0042] In some specific embodiments, the insertion protrusion 410 has a first protrusion 411 and a second protrusion 412. The first protrusion 411 is capable of engaging with the shell body 110 in its circumferential direction, and the second protrusion 412 is capable of engaging with the shell body 110 in its axial direction, as shown in Figures 6 and 8. Corresponding to the structure of the insertion protrusion 410, the limiting groove 111 on the shell body 110 is also divided into two parts, as shown in Figure 7. For example, the first protrusion 411 has at least one edge to prevent it from rotating within the limiting groove 111. A portion of the groove wall of the limiting groove 111 is arranged axially with the second protrusion 412 along the connector 400, and the groove wall of the limiting groove 111 is located outside the shell body 110 compared to the second protrusion 412, thereby preventing the second protrusion 412 from moving outward from the shell body 110 along the axial direction of the connector 400.

[0043] The engagement of the insertion protrusion 410 and the limiting groove 111 not only ensures a stable connection between the connector 400 and the housing body 110, but also facilitates confirmation of the installation position of the connector 400 on the housing body 110, thus improving the ease of assembly.

[0044] To ensure a stable connection between the connector 400 and the housing body 110, the connector 400 is generally made of a material with high hardness. The connector 400 is fitted over the passively bent section 200. If the passively bent section 200 shifts or bends, stress concentration points may appear between the passively bent section 200 and the connector 400. In some embodiments of this application, to avoid this situation, an elastic sleeve 120 can be used to wrap around the connector 400 and the portion of the passively bent section 200 located outside and adjacent to the connector 400, thereby preventing the passively bent section 200 from shifting relative to the connector 400. The distance between the connector 400 and the mounting opening 121 on the elastic sleeve 120 needs to be set longer to increase the length of the passively bent section 200 covered by the elastic sleeve 120. Preferably, the length of the portion of the second protective layer 320 located inside the connector 400 is less than the length of the portion of the second protective layer 320 located inside the elastic sleeve 120 and outside the connector 400, as shown in Figures 3 and 5.

[0045] Since the housing body 110 is fixed to the connector 400, in some preferred embodiments, a thread can be provided at the distal end of the connector 400, and the connector 400 is threadedly connected to the elastic sleeve 120, thereby achieving a detachable connection between the elastic sleeve 120 and the housing body 110. Because the elastic sleeve 120 is elastic, to ensure the stability of the threaded connection between the elastic sleeve 120 and the connector 400, in some embodiments of this application, a nut 130 is fixedly installed inside the elastic sleeve 120. Referring to Figures 8 and 9, the nut 130 is threadedly connected to the connector 400, thereby achieving a threaded connection between the elastic sleeve 120 and the housing body 110.

[0046] The hardness of nut 130 is greater than that of elastic sleeve 120. Nut 130 has a poor stress absorption effect. In order to avoid the presence of nut 130 affecting the protection and buffering effect of elastic sleeve 120 on passive bending section 200, the axial length of nut 130 should not be too long. Specifically, along the axial direction of passive bending section 200, the length of the part of second protective layer 320 located inside nut 130 is less than the length of the part of second protective layer 320 located inside elastic sleeve 120 and outside nut 130, as shown in Figures 3 and 5.

[0047] This application also provides an endoscope handle, including the connection structure between the passive bending section 200 and the housing 100 provided in any of the above embodiments.

[0048] This application also provides an endoscope, including the endoscope handle provided in any of the above embodiments. The endoscope in this application can be a bronchoscope, pyeloscope, esophagoscope, gastroscope, colonoscope, otoscope, rhinoscope, oral endoscope, laryngoscope, colposcope, laparoscope, arthroscope, etc., and this application does not specifically limit the type of endoscope.

[0049] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of this application and is not intended to limit this application. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, and improvements made within the spirit and principles of this application should be included within the protection scope of this application.

Claims

1. A connection structure between a passively bent section and a shell, characterized in that, The housing (100) has an installation opening (121), the proximal end of the passive bending section (200) is inserted into the housing (100) through the installation opening (121), and the passive bending section (200) is covered with a first protective layer (310) and a second protective layer (320). Along the axial direction of the passive bending section (200), the length of the first protective layer (310) is greater than the length of the second protective layer (320). The second protective layer (320) is disposed at the part of the passive bending section (200) corresponding to the mounting opening (121), and the second protective layer (320) overlaps with the first protective layer (310).

2. The connection structure between the passive bending section and the shell according to claim 1, characterized in that, The housing (100) includes a housing body (110) and an elastic sleeve (120). The elastic sleeve (120) is installed at the far end of the housing body (110). The installation opening (121) is provided in the elastic sleeve (120). The elastic sleeve (120) is sleeved outside the passive bending section (200).

3. The connection structure between the passive bending section and the shell according to claim 2, characterized in that, A portion of the second protective layer (320) is located inside the elastic sheath (120), and another portion is located outside the elastic sheath (120).

4. The connection structure between the passive bending section and the shell according to claim 3, characterized in that, The length of the portion of the second protective layer (320) outside the elastic sheath (120) is greater than or equal to one centimeter, and / or the length of the portion of the second protective layer (320) outside the elastic sheath (120) is less than ten centimeters.

5. The connection structure between the passive bending section and the shell according to claim 2, characterized in that, The elastic sheath (120) is threadedly connected to the shell body (110), and the proximal end of the elastic sheath (120) is tightly sealed against the distal end of the shell body (110). And / or, the passive bending segment (200) has a helical slit (210) with the proximal end of the helical slit (210) located within the elastic sheath (120).

6. The connection structure between the passive bending section and the shell according to claim 2, characterized in that, The passive bending section (200) is fixedly fitted with a connector (400), the connector (400) is partially located inside the shell body (110) and partially located inside the elastic sheath (120); The connector (400) has a plug-in protrusion (410) at its proximal end, and the shell body (110) has a limiting groove (111) corresponding to the plug-in protrusion (410). The plug-in protrusion (410) is installed in the limiting groove (111) so that the connector (400) is limited and engaged with the shell body (110) in its circumferential and axial directions. Along the axial direction of the passively bent section (200), the length of the portion of the second protective layer (320) located inside the connector (400) is less than the length of the portion of the second protective layer (320) located inside the elastic sleeve (120) and outside the connector (400).

7. The connection structure between the passive bending section and the shell according to claim 6, characterized in that, A nut (130) is fixedly installed inside the elastic sleeve (120), and the distal end of the connector (400) is provided with a thread, and the nut (130) is threadedly sleeved on the outside of the connector (400); Along the axial direction of the passively bent section (200), the length of the portion of the second protective layer (320) located inside the nut (130) is less than the length of the portion of the second protective layer (320) located inside the elastic sleeve (120) and outside the nut (130).

8. The connection structure between the passive bending section and the shell according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first protective layer (310) is fitted over the second protective layer (320).

9. An endoscope handle, characterized in that, The passive bending section and the housing are connected by a structure as described in any one of claims 1-8.

10. An endoscope, characterized in that, Includes an endoscope handle as described in claim 9.

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