Tube connection structure and endoscope

Abstract

This connection structure for a tube 30 includes: the tube 30 which has a tip part 35 and a base end part 36, and in which an outer diameter of the base end part 36 is larger than an outer diameter of a region adjacent to the base end part 36; and a receptacle 46 which is provided in a second housing body 17 to which the tube 30 is connected, and has an inner surface 46a in contact with an outer surface 36a of the base end part 36.

Description

Tube connection structure and endoscope

[0001] The present invention relates to a tube connection structure for connecting a proximal end portion of a tube to a main body such as an operation unit, and an endoscope.

[0002] Conventionally, endoscopes have been widely used in the medical field. Generally, an endoscope has an insertion portion, an operation portion, a universal cord, and an endoscope connector. The proximal end portions of the insertion portion and the universal cord are each connected to the operation portion. Further, the distal end portion of the universal cord is connected to the endoscope connector.

[0003] Here, the outer peripheries of the insertion portion and the universal cord are each covered with a flexible tube. For example, as disclosed in Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2020-14487), the proximal end portions of these tubes are generally connected to the operation portion via a base.

[0004] However, when a base is used for the connection structure between the tube and the operation portion, it is necessary to connect the base to the tube and the operation portion, respectively. Therefore, the connection structure using a base may complicate the structure and may lead to an increase in manufacturing cost, an increase in assembly man-hours, and the like.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a tube connection structure and an endoscope that can connect a tube to a main body with a simple structure.

[0006] A tube connection structure according to an aspect of the present invention includes a tube having a distal end portion and a proximal end portion, at least a part of the outer diameter of the proximal end portion being larger than the outer diameter of a region adjacent to the proximal end portion, and a receptacle provided in a main body to which the tube is connected and having an inner surface that contacts an outer surface of the proximal end portion.

[0007] An endoscope according to an aspect of the present invention includes a tube connection structure having a tube having a distal end portion and a proximal end portion, at least a part of the outer diameter of the proximal end portion being larger than the outer diameter of a region adjacent to the proximal end portion, and a receptacle provided in a main body to which the tube is connected and having an inner surface that contacts an outer surface of the proximal end portion.

[0008] Perspective view showing the endoscope; exploded perspective view showing the main part of the housing; cross-sectional view showing the tube connection part; disassembled cross-sectional view showing the tube connection part; exploded perspective view showing the tube connection part; explanatory diagram for inserting the proximal end into the receiver; main part cross-sectional view showing the press mold; modified version of the first cross-sectional view showing the tube connection part; modified version of the second exploded perspective view showing the tube connection part; modified version of the second exploded perspective view showing the tube connection part; modified version of the third exploded perspective view showing the main part of the housing; modified version of the third cross-sectional view showing the tube connection part; exploded perspective view showing the tube connection part.

[0009] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Figures 1 to 5 relate to one embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 1 is a perspective view showing an endoscope.

[0010] The endoscope 1 shown in Figure 1 is, for example, a single-use medical endoscope intended for single-use only. This endoscope 1 comprises an insertion section 5, an operating section 6, a universal cord 7, and an endoscope connector 8.

[0011] The insertion portion 5 has, in order from the tip side, a tip portion 10, a curved portion 11, and a flexible tube portion 12.

[0012] The tip portion 10 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape using a rigid material. The tip surface of this tip portion 10 is provided with an illumination window, an observation window, a treatment tool channel opening, and an air / water supply nozzle, etc.

[0013] The illumination window is composed of optical components located at the forefront of the illumination optical system. The illumination optical system is capable of irradiating the subject with illumination light guided from a light source, for example, by a light guide.

[0014] The observation window is formed by the observation optical system of the imaging unit located at the tip 10. The observation optical system captures the reflected light from the subject through the observation window. The observation optical system then projects the captured reflected light onto the image sensor of the imaging unit. This enables the image sensor to capture an image of the subject.

[0015] The instrument channel opening is connected to the leading end of the instrument channel. This allows the instrument channel opening to protrude into the subject through the instrument channel.

[0016] The nozzle is connected to the leading end of the air / liquid supply tube. This allows the nozzle to discharge the gas or liquid supplied from the air / liquid supply tube.

[0017] The curved section 11 has a plurality of curved pieces (not shown). These curved pieces are arranged in a row along the longitudinal axis of the insertion section 5. Furthermore, adjacent curved pieces are rotatably connected via connecting members such as rivets. As a result, the plurality of curved pieces form a row of curved pieces that allows curving in all directions, including up, down, left, and right.

[0018] In this embodiment, the up, down, left, and right directions of the insertion portion 5 are, for example, directions intersecting the longitudinal axis, and are defined in a predetermined correspondence with the up, down, left, and right directions of the image captured by the image sensor of the tip portion 10.

[0019] Furthermore, the tip ends of a pair of vertical bending control wires 37 and a pair of horizontal bending control wires 38 are connected to the bending bolster located at the very front of the curved section 11.

[0020] The flexible tube section 12 is a tube that can bend according to the shape of the subject into which the insertion section 5 is inserted. The flexible tube section 12 has a flexible tube 13 on its outermost circumference. Various signal lines, light guides, air and fluid supply tubes, and treatment instrument channels are inserted inside the tube 13.

[0021] The operating unit 6 has a housing 15 as its main body. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the housing 15 is divided into left and right halves by, for example, a first housing body 16 and a second housing body 17. These first and second housing bodies 16 and 17 are formed, for example, by resin molding. The first housing body 16 and the second housing body 17 are joined together using adhesive or the like to form a hollow housing 15.

[0022] The base end of the flexible pipe section 12 is connected to the tip end of the housing 15. Furthermore, a bend-preventing pipe 18 is attached to the tip end of the housing 15 to cover the connection between the housing 15 and the flexible pipe section 12.

[0023] A gripping portion 20 is formed approximately in the center of the longitudinal axis of the housing 15 for the operator to grasp the operating portion 6 by hand. Further forward from the gripping portion 20, a channel opening 21 for inserting treatment instruments is attached to the housing 15. Further forward from the gripping portion 20, the housing 15 is provided with an up / down bending operation knob 22 and a left / right bending operation knob 23 as bending operation members, an air / fluid supply button 25, a suction button 26, and a plurality of button switches 27.

[0024] As shown in Figure 1, the channel nozzle 21 is held in the housing 15, sandwiched between the first housing body 16 and the second housing body 17. Inside the housing 15, the channel nozzle 21 is connected to the instrument channel.

[0025] The vertical bending control knob 22 and the horizontal bending control knob 23 are rotatably mounted on the side of the first housing body 16, stacked on the same central axis. These vertical bending control knobs 22 and horizontal bending control knobs 23 constitute the endoscope bending control mechanism. The bending control mechanism pulls or loosens the vertical bending control wire and the horizontal bending control wire according to the amount of operation on the vertical bending control knob 22 and the horizontal bending control knob 23. As a result, the bending control mechanism is able to bend the bending section 11 in all directions, including the vertical, horizontal, and left-right directions.

[0026] The air / liquid supply button 25 is an operation button for supplying air and liquid from the air / liquid supply nozzle 10f at the tip 10. This air / liquid supply button 25 is attached to the housing 15 via an air / liquid supply cylinder.

[0027] The suction button 26 is an operating button for aspirating liquids or solids through a channel opening provided at the tip 10. This suction button 26 is attached to the housing 15 via a suction cylinder.

[0028] Multiple button switches 27 are held in the housing 15, sandwiched between the first housing body 16 and the second housing body 17. Each button switch 27 can be assigned to activate various functions of the endoscope 1.

[0029] The base end of the universal cord 7 is connected to the base end of the operating unit 6. The universal cord 7 has a flexible tube 30 on its outermost circumference. A kink-preventing tube 31 is attached to the outer circumference of the base end of the tube 30 to cover the connection between the universal cord 7 and the housing 15 of the operating unit 6. Various signal wires, light guides, air supply tubes, and liquid supply tubes are inserted inside the tube 30.

[0030] The endoscope connector 8 is connected to the extended end (tip) of the universal cord 7. This endoscope connector 8 can be connected to external devices (not shown), such as a light source device or a processor, via a relay connector 9.

[0031] The relay connector 9 is a reusable item that can be used multiple times. In other words, the relay connector 9 can be used repeatedly for multiple endoscopes 1 (single-use endoscopes).

[0032] Next, with reference to Figures 3 to 6, a tube connection structure for connecting the tube 30 of the universal cord 7 to the housing 15 of the operating unit 6 will be described.

[0033] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, in this embodiment, the tube 30 has an outer shell 30a and a spiral tube 30b. The outer shell 30a is made of a molded product made of silicone rubber or the like. The spiral tube 30b is made by forming an elongated metal plate into a spiral shape. This spiral tube 30b is embedded, for example, on the inner circumference side of the outer shell 30a.

[0034] The tube 30 has a tip portion 35 and a base portion 36 at its end in the longitudinal axis direction. In this embodiment, the tip portion 35 and base portion 36 of the tube 30 in the longitudinal axis direction A are defined with respect to the operating section 6. That is, the tip portion 35 of the tube 30 is the end on the side away from the operating section 6. This tip portion 35 is the part that is connected to the endoscope connector 8. The base portion 36 of the tube 30 is the end on the operating section 6 side. This base portion 36 is the part that is connected to the operating section 6.

[0035] The outer diameter of at least a portion of the base end 36 is set to be larger than the outer diameter of the region on the tube 30 adjacent to the base end 36. Specifically in this embodiment, the base end 36 has a tapered shape in which the outer diameter increases toward the base end of the tube 30.

[0036] In this embodiment, the base end 36 of the tube 30 is connected to the second housing 17. For this reason, the second housing 17 is provided with a receiver 46 into which the base end 36 of the tube 30 can be inserted. For example, as shown in Figures 2 and 5, in this embodiment, the second housing 17 has an opening 17a on the base end side. The receiver 46 is provided on a lid 45 that covers this opening 17a.

[0037] The receptor 46 has, for example, a frustoconical shape that narrows towards the tip. As a result, the inner surface 46a of the receptor 46 is composed of a tapered surface. The inclination angle (taper angle) of this inner surface 46a is set to be approximately the same as the inclination angle of the outer surface 36a of the base end 36. Furthermore, the inner diameter of the tip of the receptor 46 is set to be approximately the same as the outer diameter of the tip of the base end 36. Moreover, the inner diameter of the base end of the receptor 46 is set to be approximately the same as the outer diameter of the base end of the base end 36. These features allow the inner surface 46a of the receptor 46 to be in surface contact with the outer surface 36a of the base end 36.

[0038] Furthermore, a stopper 47 is provided at the base end of the receiver 46. This stopper 47 has a ring shape, for example, that protrudes in the inner diameter direction of the receiver 46. This stopper 47 can abut against the base end of the base end 36 (i.e., the base end of the tube 30).

[0039] Furthermore, a bend-preventing fixing portion 46b is provided on the outer circumference of the base end of the receiver 46. This bend-preventing fixing portion 46b is composed of, for example, multiple circumferential surfaces.

[0040] The base end 36 of the tube 30 is inserted into the receiver 46 configured in this way (see Figure 3). Inside the receiver 46, the outer surface 36a of the base end 36 is in surface contact with the inner surface 46a of the receiver 46. This surface contact restricts the movement of the base end 36 toward the tip of the receiver 46. This prevents the base end 36 from coming out of the receiver 46. In other words, the base end 36 of the tube 30 is connected to the housing 15 of the operating unit 6.

[0041] Furthermore, inside the receiver 46, the base end of the base end 36 abuts against the stopper 47. This abutment restricts the movement of the base end 36 toward the base end by the stopper 47. In other words, the movement of the tube 30 connected to the housing 15 in the longitudinal axis direction is restricted by the stopper 47.

[0042] A bend-preventing cylinder 31 is positioned around the outer circumference of the tube 30 and the receiving container 46. The inner surface of this bend-preventing cylinder 31 is fitted into the bend-preventing fixing portion 46b. As a result, the bend-preventing cylinder 31 is fixed to the housing 15 of the operating unit 6, covering the base end of the tube 30.

[0043] Here, the tapered shape of the base end 36 is formed, for example, by press working. That is, after the tube 30 is cut to the required predetermined length, the base end 36 is press-formed. For example, as shown in Figure 7, the base end 36 of the tube 30 is press-formed using a first press die 60 and a second press die 61.

[0044] The first press die 60 has a through hole 60a and a recess 60b. The through hole 60a is capable of inserting the tube 30. The recess 60b is provided at the end of the through hole 60a. This recess 60b has a tapered shape.

[0045] The second press die 61 has a convex portion 61a. The convex portion 61a can be inserted inside the tube 30. This convex portion 61a has a tapered shape corresponding to the recess 60b. The convex portion 61a presses the base end portion 36 of the tube 30 against the recess 60b. Thereby, the base end portion 36 plastically deform into a tapered shape. Thus, the base end portion 36 of the tube 30 is integrally formed with the region on the tube 30 adjacent to the base end portion 36 by molding.

[0046] In such pressing, it is preferable to heat at least one of the first press die 60 and the second press die 61 to a predetermined temperature. In the present embodiment, for example, the second press die 61 is heated to a predetermined temperature. By such heating, the base end portion 36 can be plastically deformed more accurately.

[0047] For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the base end portion 36 processed in this way is inserted into the receiver 46 from the tip side of the receiver 46 in a state of being elastically deformed by an operator or the like. The base end portion 36 inserted into the receiver 46 restores to a tapered shape by its own restoring force. By this restoration, surface contact between the outer surface 36a of the base end portion 36 and the inner surface 46a of the receiver 46, and contact between the base end of the base end portion 36 and the stopper 47 are realized (see FIG. 3).

[0048] According to such an embodiment, the connection structure of the tube 30 has a tip portion 35 and a base end portion 36, and includes the tube 30 in which the outer diameter of the base end portion 36 is larger than the outer diameter of the region adjacent to the base end portion 36, and a receiver 46 provided on the second housing body 17 to which the tube 30 is connected and having an inner surface 46a that contacts the outer surface 36a of the base end portion 36. Thereby, the tube 30 can be connected to the housing 15 (the second housing body 17) with a simple structure without increasing the number of parts.

[0049] In other words, the connection of the tube 30 to the second housing 17 is achieved by surface contact between the inner surface 46a of the receiver 46 and the outer surface 36a of the base end 36. This allows the tube 30 to be connected to the second housing 17 with a simple structure without the use of a nozzle or the like.

[0050] In this case, the outer surface 36a of the base end 36 has a tapered shape in which the outer diameter increases towards the base end of the tube 30. Also, the inner surface 46a of the receiving container 46 has a tapered shape that makes surface contact with the outer surface 36a of the base end 36. This surface contact between the tapered outer surface 36a and the inner surface 46a ensures a sufficient contact area between the base end 36 of the tube 30 and the receiving container 46. Therefore, the base end 36 can also function as a sealing member for sealing the connection between the tube 30 and the housing 15.

[0051] (First Modification) Next, a first modification of this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 8 and 9.

[0052] As shown in Figures 8 and 9, in this modified example, the base end portion 36 has a slit 48. This slit 48 extends in the direction of the longitudinal axis A of the tube 30.

[0053] Furthermore, the receiver 46 has a projection 49 that protrudes from its inner surface 46a. This projection 49 extends in the direction of the longitudinal axis A of the tube 30. The projection 49 is fitted into the space of the base end 46 formed by the slit 48.

[0054] With this configuration, the fitting of the slit 48 and the projection 49 restricts the rotation of the tube 30 around its longitudinal axis A. It should be noted that the configuration for forming a space at the base end 46 is not limited to a slit 48, but may also be a groove or the like. Furthermore, as a configuration for restricting the rotation of the tube 30, it is also possible to employ a configuration in which a projection is provided at the base end 36 and a slit or groove is provided in the receiving container 46.

[0055] (Second Modification) Next, a second modification of this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 10 and 11.

[0056] As shown in Figures 10 and 11, in this modified example, the base end portion 36 has a plurality of grooves 50 on its outer surface 36a. These grooves 50 form an annular shape extending around the longitudinal axis A of the tube 30. Such grooves 50 can be formed, for example, by providing a plurality of protrusions corresponding to each groove 50 in the recess 60b of the first press die 60 shown in Figure 7.

[0057] Furthermore, a ring 52, which is harder than the tube 30, is provided at the base end of the base end 36. This ring 52 suppresses deformation of the base end 36.

[0058] The receiver 46 has a plurality of projections 51 that protrude from its inner surface 46a. These projections 51 form an annular shape that extends around the longitudinal axis A of the tube 30. Each of the grooves 50 of the base end 36 is fitted into these projections 51.

[0059] With this configuration, the fitting of each groove 50 and each projection 51 more effectively prevents the base end 36 from coming off the receiving container 46. Furthermore, the contact area between the outer surface 36a of the base end 36 and the inner surface 46a of the receiving container 46 is increased, further improving the sealing performance of the connection between the tube 39 and the housing 15.

[0060] Furthermore, by providing a ring spring 52 at the base end of the base end 36, it is possible to further prevent the base end 36 from coming off the receiving container 46 and to improve the sealing performance of the connection between the tube 30 and the housing 15.

[0061] In this modified example, it is also possible to provide multiple protrusions on the outer surface 36a of the base end portion 36 and multiple grooves on the inner surface 46a of the receiver 46.

[0062] (Third Modification) Next, a third modification of this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 12 to 14.

[0063] As shown in Figures 13 and 14, in this modified example, the base end portion 36 has a groove 53 on its outer surface 36a. This groove 53 is in the shape of a partial arc extending around the longitudinal axis A of the tube 30.

[0064] Furthermore, a plate-shaped torsion coil spring 55, which is a biasing member, is provided on the inner circumference side of the base end portion 36. This plate-shaped torsion coil spring 55 has a frustoconical shape. The plate-shaped torsion coil spring 55 biases the base end portion 36 from the inside in the outward direction.

[0065] The receptor 46 has a projection 54 on its inner surface 46a. This projection 54 is in the shape of a partial arc extending around the longitudinal axis A of the tube 30.

[0066] In this modified example, as shown in Figure 12, for example, the receiver 46 is divided into a first connecting member 56 and a second connecting member 57. These first connecting member 56 and second connecting member 57 are provided on the first housing body 16 and the second housing body 17, respectively. This makes it possible to arrange the base end portion 36 and the plate-shaped torsion coil spring 55 inside the receiver 46 without deforming them.

[0067] With this configuration, the fitting of the groove 53 and the projection 54 restricts the rotation of the base end 36 around the longitudinal axis A. Furthermore, by providing a plate-shaped torsion coil spring 55 inside the base end 36, it is possible to prevent the base end 36 from coming off the receiving container 46 and to further improve the sealing performance of the connection between the tube 30 and the housing 15.

[0068] It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments and modifications described above, and various modifications and changes are possible, all of which fall within the technical scope of the present invention. Furthermore, it is also possible to appropriately combine the configurations shown in the embodiments and modifications described above. For example, the base end portion 36 (see Figures 10 and 11), whose deformation is suppressed by the ring 52, can be placed inside a receiver 46 (see Figure 12-14) which is divided into a first connecting member 56 and a second connecting member 57.

[0069] Furthermore, for example, the tube connection structure described in the above-described embodiments and their respective modifications can also be applied to the connection between the tube 13 of the insertion section 5 and the housing 15. Moreover, the tube connection structure described in the above-described embodiments and their respective modifications can also be applied to reusable endoscopes that are used multiple times.

Claims

1. A tube connection structure characterized by comprising: a tube having a tip portion and a base portion, wherein the outer diameter of at least a portion of the base portion is larger than the outer diameter of a region adjacent to the base portion of the tube; and a receiver provided on a main body to which the tube is connected, having an inner surface that contacts the outer surface of the base portion.

2. The tube connection structure according to claim 1, characterized in that the base end of the tube is integrally formed with a region adjacent to the base end by molding.

3. The tube connection structure according to claim 1, characterized in that the outer surface of the base end has a tapered shape in which the outer diameter increases toward the base end of the tube, and the inner surface of the receiver has a tapered shape that contacts the outer surface of the base end.

4. The tube connection structure according to claim 1, characterized in that the receiver has a stopper that abuts against the base end of the tube inserted into the receiver and is positioned on the base end side of the base end of the tube.

5. The tube connection structure according to claim 1, characterized in that one of the receptor and the base end has a projection, and the other of the receptor and the base end has a space into which the projection is inserted.

6. The tube connection structure according to claim 1, characterized in that the base end has a slit extending in the longitudinal direction of the tube, and the receiver has a projection that fits into the slit.

7. The tube connection structure according to claim 1, characterized in that the base end has a projection or groove extending around the longitudinal axis of the tube, and the receiver has a groove or projection that fits into the projection or groove of the base end.

8. The tube connection structure according to claim 7, characterized in that the projection or groove of the base end is annular, and the groove or projection of the receiver is annular.

9. The tube connection structure according to claim 7, characterized in that the projection or groove of the base end is partially arc-shaped, and the groove or projection of the receiver is partially arc-shaped.

10. The tube connection structure according to claim 1, further characterized by having a biasing member that biases the base end in the outward diameter direction.

11. An endoscope characterized by comprising a tube having a tip portion and a base portion, wherein the outer diameter of at least a portion of the base portion is larger than the outer diameter of the region adjacent to the base portion of the tube, and a receiver provided on a main body to which the tube is connected, having an inner surface that contacts the outer surface of the base portion.

12. The endoscope according to claim 11, comprising: an insertion portion that can be inserted into a subject; an operating portion connected to the insertion portion; and a universal cord connected to the operating portion, wherein the main body is a housing that constitutes the operating portion, and the tube includes an outer sheath disposed on the outermost periphery of the insertion portion or the universal cord.

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