Active bending section, insertion portion, and endoscope

Abstract

An active bending section (100), an insertion portion (200), and an endoscope (300), relating to the technical field of endoscopes. The active bending section (100) comprises a tube body (110), wherein the tube body (110) is provided with a plurality of first slits (111), and the first slits (111) pass through the tube wall of the tube body (110); the plurality of first slits (111) are arranged at intervals in the axial direction of the tube body (110); the first slits (111) extend in the circumferential direction of the tube body (110), and the width of the first slits (111) in the axial direction of the tube body (110) gradually increases from the two ends of the first slits (111) in the extension direction to the middle; and when the tube body (110) is bent to the maximum bending angle, the edges of the two sides of the first slits (111) in the width direction are in surface line contact or surface-to-surface contact. The active bending section (100) solves the technical problem in the related art that the active bending section (100) collapses during bending.

Description

An active bending section, an insertion part, and an endoscope Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of endoscope technology, and in particular to an active bending section, an insertion part, and an endoscope. Background Technology

[0002] An endoscope is a commonly used medical device that can directly enter the body's natural tubes, providing doctors with comprehensive diagnostic information for disease treatment. An endoscope includes a tip assembly that can be inserted into the body through body cavities or surgical incisions. During use, the endoscope allows for observation of different locations within the body by controlling the bending of its active bending segment.

[0003] In the prior art, the slit structure of the active bending section is horizontally opened. When the active bending section bends, it is easy to cause the active bending section to collapse, resulting in a reduction in the inner diameter of the active bending section, which in turn reduces the smoothness of the instrument passing through the active bending section.

[0004] Therefore, providing an active bending section, insertion part, and endoscope that do not collapse when bent is a technical problem that urgently needs to be solved by those skilled in the art. Utility Model Content

[0005] This utility model discloses an active bending section, an insertion part, and an endoscope to solve the technical problem of collapse when the active bending section is bent in related technologies.

[0006] To solve the above problems, the present invention adopts the following technical solution:

[0007] In a first aspect, an active bending section is provided, including a pipe body having a plurality of first slits penetrating the pipe wall of the pipe body; the plurality of first slits are spaced apart along the axial direction of the pipe body.

[0008] The first gap extends along the circumferential direction of the tube body, and the width of the first gap in the axial direction of the tube body gradually increases from both ends of the first gap extension direction toward the middle.

[0009] When the tube is bent to its maximum bending angle, the two edges of the first gap width direction are in line contact or surface-to-surface contact.

[0010] In a second aspect, an insertion portion is provided, the distal end of which is provided with the active bending section of the first aspect.

[0011] Thirdly, an endoscope is provided, including the insertion portion described in the second aspect.

[0012] The technical solution adopted in this utility model can achieve the following beneficial effects:

[0013] The active bending section provided in this application, when the tube body bends toward the side with the first gap, the first gap at the bend gradually approaches the two edges of the tube body along the axial direction. As the width of the first gap along the axial direction gradually increases from both ends to the middle in the extension direction of the first gap, when the tube body bends to the maximum bending angle, the surface where one edge of the first gap is located along the axial direction abuts against the surface where the other edge is located, or the edge of one edge of the first gap along the axial direction abuts against the surface where the other edge is located. When the tube body bends, the arc angle corresponding to the contact parts on the opposite sides along the axial direction of the first gap is larger, thus making it less likely for the active bending section to collapse. This greatly avoids the situation where the inner diameter of the active bending section decreases, which would affect the passage of the instrument. Attached Figure Description

[0014] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this utility model or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of this utility model. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0015] Figure 1 is an axial view of the active bending section of this utility model when it is not bent.

[0016] Figure 2 is an enlarged view of point A in Figure 1;

[0017] Figure 3 is an axial view of the active bending section of this utility model bending towards the first side to the maximum bending angle;

[0018] Figure 4 is an enlarged view of point B in Figure 3;

[0019] Figure 5 is an enlarged view of point C in Figure 3;

[0020] Figure 6 is an axial view of the active bending section of this utility model bending towards the second side to the maximum bending angle;

[0021] Figure 7 is a front view of the active bending section of this utility model when it is not bent;

[0022] Figure 8 is an enlarged view of point D in Figure 7;

[0023] Figure 9 is an enlarged view of point E in Figure 7;

[0024] Figure 10 is a top view of the active bending section of this utility model when it is not bent.

[0025] Figure 11 is a schematic diagram of the state in which the edges of the tube body of this utility model intersect when the tube body is bent.

[0026] Figure 12 is an enlarged view of point F in Figure 11;

[0027] Figure 13 is an enlarged view of point G in Figure 11;

[0028] Figure 14 is an axial view of the endoscope of this utility model.

[0029] In the figure: 100, active bending section; 110, tube body; 111, first slit; 112, second slit; 113, narrow side structure; 114, wide side structure; 115, groove structure; 200, insertion part; 300, endoscope. Detailed Implementation

[0030] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this utility model clearer, the technical solutions of this utility model will be described in detail below. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of this utility model, and not all of them. Based on the embodiments of this utility model, all other implementation methods obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this utility model.

[0031] The terms "first," "second," etc., used in the specification and claims of this application are used to distinguish similar objects and not to describe a specific order or sequence. It should be understood that such use of data can be interchanged where appropriate so that embodiments of this application can be implemented in orders other than those illustrated or described herein, and the objects distinguished by "first," "second," etc., are generally of the same class and the number of objects is not limited; for example, a first object can be one or more. Furthermore, in the specification and claims, "and / or" indicates at least one of the connected objects, and the character " / " generally indicates that the preceding and following objects are in an "or" relationship.

[0032] In the various embodiments of this application, "near end" and "far end" refer to the distance of each component from the user in the usage environment. The end closer to the user is designated as the "near end", and the end farther from the user is designated as the "far end".

[0033] During use, the applicant discovered that the existing active bending section 100 has a horizontally opened slit structure. When the active bending section 100 bends, the two ends of the horizontally opened slit structure along the axial direction of the tube body 110 are prone to poor contact, which leads to collapse. This results in a reduction in the inner diameter of the active bending section 100, affecting the smoothness of the instrument passing through the active bending section 100.

[0034] The active bending section 100, insertion part 200 and endoscope 300 provided in this application will be described in detail below with reference to Figures 1 to 14, through specific embodiments and application scenarios.

[0035] Referring to Figures 1 and 7, the active bending segment 100 provided in some embodiments of this application includes a tube body 110. The tube body 110 is a basic structural component, which, when the tube body 110 is used for the endoscope 300, can provide a mounting base for other components.

[0036] In some embodiments, when the active bending section 100 is used for the endoscope 300, the tube 110 can be bent under the control of the operating structure to adapt to the internal cavity, and different angles of view can be obtained according to the bending of the tube 110. There are many types of operating mechanisms, therefore this embodiment does not limit the specific type of operating mechanism. Specifically, the operating structure can be, but is not limited to, the traction mechanism of the endoscope 300.

[0037] As shown in Figure 2, the tube body 110 has a plurality of first slits 111 penetrating its tube wall. The plurality of first slits 111 are spaced apart along the axial direction of the tube body 110 on the first side of the radial direction of the tube body 110, and the width of the first slits 111 in the axial direction of the tube body 110 gradually increases from both ends of the first slits 111 extending towards the middle.

[0038] During the bending of the tube 110 toward the side with the first slit 111, the two edges of the first slit 111 at the bending point of the tube 110 gradually approach each other in the axial direction of the tube 110. Furthermore, the width of the first slit 111 in the axial direction of the tube 110 gradually increases from both ends toward the middle in the extension direction of the first slit 111. When the tube 110 bends to its maximum bending angle, as shown in Figure 4, the surface containing one edge of the first slit 111 in the axial direction abuts against the surface containing the other edge; or the edge of one edge of the first slit 111 in the axial direction abuts against the surface containing the other edge. The arc angle corresponding to the contact points on the opposite sides of the first slit 111 in the axial direction of the tube 110 is larger when the tube 110 bends, thus making it less likely for the active bending section 100 to collapse. This greatly avoids the situation where the inner diameter of the active bending section 100 decreases, which could affect the passage of the instrument.

[0039] It should be noted that, in this embodiment, the axial direction of the tube body 110 is shown as L1 in Figure 1, the circumferential direction of the tube body 110 is shown as O1 in Figure 1, the radial direction of the tube body 110 is shown as D in Figure 9, and the width of the first gap 111 is shown as W in Figure 8.

[0040] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG2, the tube body 110 also has a plurality of second slits 112, which are spaced apart along the axial direction of the tube body 110 on a second side of the radial direction of the tube body 110, wherein the first side and the second side are different sides.

[0041] Multiple second slits 112 are provided on the second radial side of the tube body 110, allowing the tube body 110 to bend towards the second side, thus increasing the bending direction of the active bending section 100. When the active bending section 100 is used in the endoscope 300, it can better adapt to the internal cavity and obtain a field of view from more different angles.

[0042] In this embodiment, the plurality of first slits 111 and the plurality of second slits 112 on the tube body 110 can be made using an integral cutting process or other processes. This embodiment is symmetrical and not limited.

[0043] In some embodiments, as shown in Figure 2, the first side and the second side are two sides of the tube 110 that are radially opposite. During the bending of the tube 110 towards the first side, the width of the second gap 112 on the second side in the axial direction of the tube 110 will not decrease, thus avoiding motion interference between the second gap 112 and the tube 110 bending towards the first side, and maximizing the bending amount of the tube 110 towards the first side. Similarly, during the bending of the tube 110 towards the second side, the width of the first gap 111 on the first side in the axial direction of the tube 110 will not decrease, thus avoiding motion interference between the first gap 111 and the tube 110 bending towards the second side, and maximizing the bending amount of the tube 110 towards the first side. By having the first side and the second side be two sides of the tube 110 that are radially opposite, the independence of the bending of the tube 110 towards the first side or towards the second side is ensured, preventing motion interference between the first gap 111 and the second gap 112.

[0044] As a preferred embodiment, as shown in FIG2, the width of the second slit 112 in the axial direction of the tube body 110 also gradually increases from both ends of the second slit 112 extending towards the middle.

[0045] Because the width of the second slit 112 in the axial direction of the tube 110 gradually increases from both ends towards the middle in the extension direction of the second slit 112, when the tube 110 bends towards the second side to the maximum bending angle, the surface where one edge of the second slit 112 is located abuts against the surface where the other edge is located, or the edge of one edge of the second slit 112 is located abuts against the surface where the other edge is located. When the tube 110 bends, the arc angle corresponding to the contact points on the opposite sides of the second slit 112 in the axial direction is larger, which makes it less likely for the active bending section 100 to collapse, and greatly avoids the situation where the inner diameter of the active bending section 100 decreases, thus affecting the passage of the instrument.

[0046] As shown in Figures 2 and 4, multiple first slits 111 and multiple second slits 112 are alternately arranged in the axial direction of the tube body 110.

[0047] During the process of the tube body 110 bending toward the first side where the first gap 111 is located, the width of the first gap 111 along the axial direction of the tube body 110 gradually decreases, and the tensile stress on the second side gradually increases. Therefore, by alternating the arrangement of multiple second gaps 112 with multiple first gaps 111, when the width of the first gap 111 along the axial direction of the tube body 110 gradually decreases, the width of the second gap 112 along the axial direction of the tube body 110 gradually increases, as shown in Figure 5, thereby reducing the tensile stress on the second side. Similarly, when the tube body 110 bends toward the second side, the multiple first gaps 111 alternating with the second gaps 112 can also reduce the tensile stress on the first side.

[0048] In some embodiments, at least one second gap 112 is present between any two adjacent first gaps 111.

[0049] In some embodiments, at least one first gap 111 is present between any two adjacent second gaps 112.

[0050] In some embodiments, a plurality of first gaps 111 form a plurality of first gap groups, and a plurality of second gaps 112 form a plurality of second gap groups. Each first gap group has at least one first gap 111, and each second gap group has at least one second gap 112. There is a second gap group between any two adjacent first gap groups.

[0051] As shown in Figures 2 and 4, the first gap 111 has a greater angle of inclination relative to the plane perpendicular to the axial direction of the tube body 110 than the other edge of the first gap 111.

[0052] During the bending of the tube body 110 toward the first side where the first gap 111 is located, the edge of the first gap 111 with a larger inclination angle in the axial direction of the tube body 110 will actively move toward the edge with a smaller inclination angle, and the edge with a larger inclination angle will have a greater outward convex deformation along the radial direction of the tube body 110. This allows the two mating edges to form at least a partial intersection, as shown by the line connecting points P in Figures 12 and 13, thereby preventing the two gaps from interlocking on their closed sides and preventing collapse.

[0053] In Figures 11-13, the solid lines represent edges with smaller tilt angles, and the dashed lines represent edges with larger tilt angles.

[0054] As shown in Figures 2 and 4, the second gap 112 has a greater angle of inclination relative to the plane perpendicular to the axial direction of the tube body 110 than the other edge of the second gap 112.

[0055] During the process of the tube body 110 bending toward the second side where the second gap 112 is located, the edge of the second gap 112 with a larger inclination angle in the axial direction of the tube body 110 will actively move toward the edge with a smaller inclination angle, and the edge with a larger inclination angle will have a larger outward convex deformation along the radial direction of the tube body 110. This can make the two fitting edges form at least a partial intersection, thereby avoiding the two gaps from being interlocked on the closed side and preventing collapse.

[0056] As shown in Figures 3 and 6, the maximum bending angle of the tube 110 towards the first side is equal to the maximum bending angle of the tube 110 towards the second side.

[0057] When the operator (doctor) operates the endoscope 300 during the operation, by rotating the handle on the endoscope 300, the tube 110 is driven to bend toward the first side or the second side under the action of the drive mechanism and the traction rope. By making the maximum bending angle of the tube 110 along the first side and the maximum bending angle along the second side equal, when the operator (doctor) rotates the handle upward or downward by the same arc during the operation, the tube 110 bends at the same angle on the first side or the second side, which is more conducive to the operator (doctor) controlling the active bending segment 100 during the operation.

[0058] Specifically, this embodiment achieves the function of making the maximum bending angle of the tube body 110 towards the first side equal to the maximum bending angle towards the second side by using multiple first gaps 111 and multiple second gaps 112 in the same way; correspondingly, other methods can also be used to ensure that the maximum bending angle of the tube body 110 towards the first side is equal to the maximum bending angle towards the second side, and this embodiment does not limit this.

[0059] As shown in Figure 2, the orthographic projections of the plurality of first slits 111 and the plurality of second slits 112 along the axial direction of the tube body 110 partially overlap, and any first slit 111 forms a narrow side structure 113 with one of the two adjacent second slits 112 and a wide side structure 114 with the other.

[0060] During the bending of the tube body 110 toward the first side where the multiple first gaps 111 are located or the second side where the multiple second gaps 112 are located, the narrow side structure 113 undergoes greater deformation. The edge where the narrow side structure 113 and the wide side structure 114 are joined is deformed radially outward, while the edge separated from the wide side structure 114 is deformed inward. This allows the two joined edges to form at least a partial intersection, thereby preventing the two gaps from interlocking on the closed side and preventing collapse.

[0061] Naturally, the width of the wide side structure 114 along the axial direction of the tube body 110 is greater than the width of the narrow side structure 113 along the axial direction of the tube body 110.

[0062] As shown in Figures 2 and 4, a narrow edge structure 113 is formed between the edge of the first gap 111 with a larger tilt angle and the edge of the adjacent second gap 112 with a larger tilt angle, and a wide edge structure 114 is formed between the edge of the first gap 111 with a smaller tilt angle and the edge of the adjacent second gap 112 with a smaller tilt angle.

[0063] During the bending of the tube body 110 toward the first side where the multiple first gaps 111 are located, the edges of the first gaps 111 with larger inclination angles exhibit greater radial outward deformation along the tube body 110, and the narrow-side structure 113 also exhibits greater deformation. This better prevents the edge of the first gap 111 from becoming embedded, further preventing collapse. Similarly, during the bending of the tube body 110 toward the second side where the multiple second gaps 112 are located, it also better prevents the edge of the second gap 112 from becoming embedded, further preventing collapse.

[0064] As shown in Figures 2 and 4, the edges of the first gap 111 with smaller inclination angles and the edges of the second gap 112 with smaller inclination angles are provided with groove structures 115 at both ends along their own extension directions.

[0065] The design of the groove structure 115 allows the tube body 110 to adapt to shape changes more flexibly when bending; in the area where the tube body 110 needs to be bent, the groove structure 115 can allow the tube body 110 to undergo a certain degree of local deformation during the bending process, thereby reducing the force required for overall bending and making the bending process smoother.

[0066] All groove structures 115 face the wide side structure 114. The wide side structure 114 has a larger cross-sectional area and stronger load-bearing capacity compared to the narrow side or ordinary edge. When the tube body 110 is bent, the bent part will be subjected to stress and deformation from different directions. The groove structure 115 facing the wide side makes it easier for the groove structure 115 to disperse and transfer stress to the wide side structure 114 during the bending process of the tube body 110, thereby maintaining the stability of the tube body 110 when bending.

[0067] In this embodiment, the groove structure 115 can be semi-circular, semi-elliptical, or other shapes, and this embodiment does not limit it.

[0068] In some embodiments, as shown in Figures 7 and 9, the two edges of the first slit 111 are inclined in the same direction, both inclined along the direction of the arrow of curve O2 in Figure 9. During the bending of the tube 110 toward the first side where the plurality of first slits 111 are located, the radial outward deformation of the edge with the smaller inclination angle can be minimized as much as possible, so as to maintain the stability of the tube 110 during bending while forming at least a partial intersection.

[0069] Correspondingly, the two edges of the second slit 112 are inclined in the same direction, and are consistent with the inclination direction of the two edges of the first slit 111. During the bending of the tube 110 toward the second side where the multiple second slits 112 are located, the radial outward deformation of the edge with the smaller inclination angle along the tube 110 can be minimized as much as possible, while maintaining the stability of the tube 110 during bending while forming at least a partial intersection.

[0070] As shown in Figures 7 and 9, both edges of the first slit 111 slope towards the distal end of the tube body 110 from the middle to the end. When the active bending section 100 is used for the endoscope 300, the drive mechanism of the endoscope 300 enters from the proximal end of the tube body 110 and controls the active bending section 100 to bend towards the first side. Therefore, the structure in which both edges of the first slit 111 slope towards the distal end of the tube body 110 from the middle to the end conforms to the actual usage requirements of the endoscope 300.

[0071] Correspondingly, both edges of the second slit 112 also slope towards the distal end of the tube body 110 from the middle to the end. When the active bending section 100 is used for the endoscope 300, the drive mechanism of the endoscope 300 enters from the proximal end of the tube body 110 and controls the active bending section 100 to bend towards the second side. Therefore, the structure in which both edges of the second slit 112 slope towards the distal end of the tube body 110 from the middle to the end conforms to the actual usage requirements of the endoscope 300.

[0072] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG14, the insertion portion 200 provided in some embodiments of this application has its distal end connected to the proximal end of the active bending segment 100.

[0073] As shown in FIG14, in some embodiments of this application, the endoscope 300 includes an insertion portion 200.

[0074] The endoscope 300 in this application embodiment can be a bronchoscope, pyeloscope, esophagoscope, gastroscope, colonoscope, otoscope, rhinoscope, oral endoscope, laryngoscope, colposcope, laparoscope, arthroscope, etc. This application embodiment does not specifically limit the type of endoscope 300.

[0075] It should be noted that, in this document, the terms "comprising," "including," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such a process, method, article, or apparatus. Unless otherwise specified, an element defined by the phrase "comprising one..." does not exclude the presence of other identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that includes that element.

[0076] Furthermore, it should be noted that the scope of the methods and apparatus in the embodiments of this application is not limited to performing functions in the order shown or discussed, but may also include performing functions substantially simultaneously or in the reverse order, depending on the functions involved. For example, the described methods may be performed in a different order than described, and various steps may be added, omitted, or combined. In addition, features described with reference to certain examples may be combined in other examples.

[0077] The above description is only a specific embodiment of this utility model, but the protection scope of this utility model is not limited thereto. Any changes or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in this utility model should be included within the protection scope of this utility model.

Claims

1. An active bend section, characterized by The tube includes a pipe body having a plurality of first slits that penetrate the wall of the tube body; the plurality of first slits are spaced apart along the axial direction of the tube body. The first gap extends along the circumferential direction of the tube body, and the width of the first gap in the axial direction of the tube body gradually increases from both ends of the first gap extension direction toward the middle. When the tube body is bent to the maximum bending angle, the two side edges in the width direction of the first gap are in line contact or surface-to-surface contact.

2. An active bend section according to claim 1, wherein, The first gap has a greater angle of inclination relative to a plane perpendicular to the axial direction of the tube than the angle of inclination of the other edge relative to the plane perpendicular to the axial direction of the tube.

3. An active bend section according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that, It also includes a plurality of second gaps; a plurality of first gaps are spaced apart along the axial direction of the tube body on a first side of the tube body in the radial direction, and a plurality of second gaps are spaced apart along the axial direction of the tube body on a second side of the tube body in the radial direction; and the plurality of first gaps and the plurality of second gaps are alternately arranged along the axial direction of the tube body; The first side and the second side are located on two sides of the tube body that are in different radial directions.

4. An active bend section according to claim 3, wherein, The first side and the second side are two sides that are opposite to each other in the radial direction of the tube body.

5. An active bend section according to claim 3, wherein, The orthographic projections of the plurality of first slits and the plurality of second slits along the axial direction of the tube partially overlap; Any first gap forms a narrow side structure with one of its two adjacent second gaps and a wide side structure with the other.

6. An active bend section according to claim 5, wherein, The second gap has a greater angle of inclination relative to a plane perpendicular to the axial direction of the tube than the angle of inclination of the other edge relative to the plane perpendicular to the axial direction of the tube. A narrow edge structure is formed between the edge of the first gap with a larger tilt angle and the adjacent edge of the second gap with a larger tilt angle, and a wide edge structure is formed between the edge of the first gap with a smaller tilt angle and the adjacent edge of the second gap with a smaller tilt angle.

7. An active bend section according to claim 3, wherein, The edges of the first gap with a smaller tilt angle and the edges of the second gap with a smaller tilt angle are respectively provided with groove structures at both ends along their own extension direction.

8. An active bend section according to claim 2, wherein, The two edges of the first gap are inclined in the same direction, both sloping from the middle to the end of the edge toward the far end of the tube.

9. An insertion portion characterized by, The distal end of the insertion portion is provided with an active bending section as described in any one of claims 1-8.

10. An endoscope characterized by comprising: Includes the insertion portion as described in claim 9.

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