Active bending section, insertion portion, and endoscope
By designing a concave buckle structure with gradually decreasing axial spacing of the rope holes and a joint stop, the problem of high stamping precision in the active bending section of the endoscope was solved, thereby improving structural strength and operational flexibility.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- WO · WO
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- HUNAN VATHIN MEDICAL INSTR CO LTD
- Filing Date
- 2025-11-11
- Publication Date
- 2026-05-21
AI Technical Summary
The active bending section of existing endoscopes requires high precision when stamping the concave buckle structure, which makes stamping difficult and makes it hard to guarantee the structural strength.
The tube body is designed with multiple rope passage structures. The rope passage holes have a concave buckle structure with gradually decreasing axial spacing. The stamping device can be offset to the center of the concave buckle structure for stamping, reducing the precision requirements. The structural stability is enhanced by the design of joint stop and deformation part.
The stamping precision requirements have been reduced, ensuring the strength and stability of the tube structure and improving the operational flexibility and service life of the endoscope.
Smart Images
Figure CN2025134039_21052026_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Description
An active bending section, an insertion part, and an endoscope Technical Field
[0001] This application relates to the field of medical device technology, and in particular to an active bending section, insertion part and endoscope. Background Technology
[0002] An endoscope is a commonly used medical device that can directly enter the body's natural channels, providing doctors with ample diagnostic information for disease treatment. In existing technology, the rope holes located on both sides of the concave buckle structure require high precision during stamping, leading to stamping difficulties.
[0003] Therefore, providing an active bending section, insertion part, and endoscope that can reduce the precision requirements of the stamped concave buckle structure while ensuring sufficient structural strength is a technical problem that urgently needs to be solved by those skilled in the art. Utility Model Content
[0004] This application discloses an active bending section, an insertion part, and an endoscope to solve the technical problem in the related art where the active bending section has high precision requirements, leading to stamping difficulties.
[0005] To solve the above problems, this application adopts the following technical solution:
[0006] In the first aspect, an active bending section is disclosed, including a tube body having multiple rope-passing structures, each rope-passing structure forming two rope-passing holes on both sides of the tube body in the axial direction.
[0007] The rope hole has a first edge and a second edge along the axial direction of the tube body. The two first edges are set close to each other and form an inward buckle structure between them. The middle part of the inward buckle structure is recessed towards the inside of the tube body.
[0008] The distance between the first edge and the second edge along the axial direction of the tube body decreases from the middle of the first edge toward both ends of the first edge.
[0009] In some designs, the axial spacing between the two second edges decreases from the middle of the second edges toward both ends.
[0010] In some designs, the tube body has several joints, and the rope passage structure is located at the joints;
[0011] The joints have a third edge at each end along the axial direction of the tube, and there is a weak area between the second edge and the adjacent third edge;
[0012] When the tube is bent to its maximum angle, the orthographic projection of the stop portion of the two joints along the tube axis covers the orthographic projection of the weak area along the tube axis.
[0013] In some designs, the tube body has several joints, and the rope passage structure is located at the joints;
[0014] When the tube is bent to its maximum angle, the orthographic projection of the stop portion of the two joints along the tube axis covers the orthographic projection of the rope hole along the tube axis.
[0015] In some designs, the recessed buckle structure has a connecting part and a deformable part, with the stiffness of the deformable part being less than that of the connecting part.
[0016] In some designs, the width of the connecting part along the axial direction of the pipe body is greater than the width of the deformable part along the axial direction of the pipe body.
[0017] In some designs, the middle part of the concave buckle structure bends towards the inside of the tube at both ends along the tube's axial direction.
[0018] In some designs, several rope-passing structures are respectively positioned on the first and second sides of the tube's radial direction.
[0019] Secondly, an insertion part is also disclosed, the distal end of which is provided with the active bending section of the first aspect.
[0020] Thirdly, the endoscope, including the insertion part mentioned in the second aspect, was also disclosed.
[0021] The technical solution adopted in this application can achieve the following beneficial effects:
[0022] In the active bending section of this application, when the stamping device stamps the concave buckle structure, the stamping part of the stamping device is aligned with the center of the concave buckle structure and stamps downwards, causing the concave buckle structure to recess into the tube body. During the stamping process, since the distance between the first edge and the second edge in the tube body gradually decreases from the center to both ends, the stamping head of the stamping device can be slightly offset towards the two second edges when aligned with the center of the concave buckle structure, which can still complete the stamping of the concave buckle structure without stamping the tube body, thus reducing the stamping accuracy requirements. In contrast, in a conventional active bending section, the gap between the two edges of the rope hole remains constant, and even a slight deviation during the stamping process can easily stamp the tube body. In addition, the gradual decrease in the distance between the first edge and the second edge in the tube body in the tube body from the center to both ends also ensures sufficient structural strength of the tube body. Attached Figure Description
[0023] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application 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 application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.
[0024] Figure 1 is an axial view of the active bending segment of this application;
[0025] Figure 2 is an enlarged view of point A in Figure 1;
[0026] Figure 3 is an axial view of the active bending section of this application when it is bent to the maximum angle.
[0027] Figure 4 is an enlarged view of point B in Figure 3;
[0028] Figure 5 is a partial front view of one embodiment of the active bending segment of this application;
[0029] Figure 6 is an enlarged view of point C in Figure 5;
[0030] Figure 7 is a partial front view of another embodiment of the active bending segment of this application;
[0031] Figure 8 is an enlarged view of point D in Figure 7;
[0032] Figure 9 is a partial cross-sectional view of the active bending section of this application;
[0033] Figure 10 is an enlarged view of point E in Figure 9;
[0034] Figure 11 is a schematic diagram of the connection relationship between the traction rope and the over-rope structure;
[0035] Figure 12 is an axial view of the endoscope of this application.
[0036] In the picture:
[0037] 100-tube body, 110-joint, 1101-third edge, 120-rope passage structure, 121-rope passage hole, 1211-first edge, 1212-second edge, 122-inner concave buckle structure, 1221-connecting part, 1222-deformation part, 130-weak area;
[0038] 200-Insertion section;
[0039] 300-Endoscope. Detailed Implementation
[0040] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this application clearer, the technical solutions of this application will be described in detail below. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of this application, and not all of them. Based on the embodiments in this application, all other implementation methods obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application.
[0041] 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.
[0042] 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".
[0043] During the stamping of the recessed buckle structure 122, the applicant discovered that in the prior art, the rope holes 120 located on both sides of the recessed buckle structure 122 result in high precision requirements during stamping, leading to stamping difficulties. This is due to the structural characteristics of the existing rope holes 120. Simply increasing the width of the rope holes 120 along the axial direction of the tube body 100 would reduce the stamping precision requirements, but it would not guarantee the strength of the tube body 100 structure.
[0044] The active bending section, insertion part 200 and endoscope 300 provided in this application will be described in detail below with reference to Figures 1 to 12, through specific embodiments and application scenarios.
[0045] The active bending segment provided in some embodiments of this application, as shown in Figures 1, 3, 5, and 7, includes a tube body 100. The tube body 100 is a basic structural component that, when used in an endoscope 300, can provide a mounting base for other components.
[0046] As shown in Figures 2, 4, 6, and 8, the tube 100 includes several segments 110, with a slit between any two adjacent segments 110. The presence of the slit allows the tube 100 to be bent.
[0047] In some embodiments, when the active bending section is used for the endoscope 300, the tube 100 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 100. 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.
[0048] It should be noted that the tube body 100 can be formed by integral cutting to form several joints 110, or by sequentially hinged several joints 110 to form the tube body 100. This application does not limit this.
[0049] As shown in Figures 1-8, the tube body 100 has multiple rope-passing structures 120. When the tube body 100 is used for the endoscope 300, the rope-passing structures 120 serve to install, guide, and support the traction rope, ensuring that the tube body 100 can be bent by pulling the traction rope.
[0050] As shown in Figures 2, 4, 6, and 8, each rope-passing structure 120 forms two rope-passing holes 121 on both sides of the tube body 100 along its axial direction. Each rope-passing hole 121 has a first edge 1211 and a second edge 1212 along the axial direction of the tube body 100. The two first edges 1211 are positioned close to each other, forming a recessed buckle structure 122 between them. The center of the recessed buckle structure 122 is recessed towards the interior of the tube body 100. When the tube body 100 is used for an endoscope 300, one end of the traction rope passes through the interior of the tube body 100 and through the two rope-passing holes 121. The recessed center of the recessed buckle structure 122 abuts against the traction rope, thus completing the installation of the traction rope by the rope-passing structure 120.
[0051] It should be noted that the axial direction of the tube body 100 is shown as L1 in Figure 1, and the same applies below.
[0052] As a preferred embodiment, the rope hole 121 is formed by laser cutting.
[0053] As shown in Figures 2, 4, 6 and 8, the distance between the first edge 1211 and the second edge 1212 in the axial direction of the tube body 100 decreases from the middle of the first edge 1211 toward both ends of the first edge 1211.
[0054] When the stamping device stamps the recessed buckle structure 122, the stamping part of the stamping device is aligned with the center of the recessed buckle structure 122 and stamps downwards, causing the recessed buckle structure 122 to be recessed into the tube body 100. During the stamping process, since the distance between the first edge 1211 and the second edge 1212 in the axial direction of the tube body 100 gradually decreases from the center to both ends, the stamping head of the stamping device can be slightly offset towards the two second edges 1212 when aligned with the center of the recessed buckle structure 122, which can still complete the stamping of the recessed buckle structure 122 without stamping the tube body 100, thus reducing the stamping accuracy requirements. In contrast, in a conventional active bending section, the gap between the two edges of the rope hole 121 remains constant, and even a slight deviation during the stamping process can easily stamp the tube body 100. In addition, the gradual decrease in the distance between the first edge 1211 and the second edge 1212 in the axial direction of the tube body 100 from the center to both ends also ensures that the tube body 100 has sufficient structural strength.
[0055] In some embodiments, as shown in Figures 2, 4, and 6, the axial spacing between the two second edges 1212 in the tube body 100 decreases from the middle of the second edges 1212 towards both ends. This embodiment is suitable for a larger stamping head, allowing the stamping head to be slightly offset towards the two second edges 1212 while still completing the stamping of the inner recessed structure 122 without stamping the tube body 100, thus reducing the stamping accuracy requirements.
[0056] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG8, the distance between the two second edges 1212 in the axial direction of the tube body 100 remains unchanged, while the distance between the two first edges 1211 in the axial direction of the tube body 100 gradually increases from the middle of the first edges 1211 to both ends of the first edges 1211. This embodiment is suitable for smaller stamping heads, and the reduced size of the middle portion of the recessed buckle structure 122 reduces the force required to stamp the recessed buckle structure 122. Consequently, the stamping head does not need to be aligned with the middle of the recessed buckle structure 122; it can be slightly offset towards the second edges 1212 to complete the stamping of the recessed buckle structure 122, thus reducing the stamping accuracy requirements.
[0057] As shown in Figures 2, 4, 6, and 8, the lanyard structure 120 is located at the joint 110. Several joints 110 form multiple joint segments, and each joint segment has a lanyard structure 120 on one side of the tube body 100 along its radial direction, ensuring a certain distance between any two adjacent lanyard structures 120 on that side of the tube body 100. When the tube body 100 is used for the endoscope 300, this distance reduces the friction of the traction rope within the tube body 100, minimizing frictional loss between the traction rope and the lanyard structure 120. This reduced friction increases the flexibility of the traction rope, allowing the operator (physician) to better manipulate the endoscope 300 during surgery.
[0058] As shown in Figures 2 and 4, the joint 110 has a third edge 1101 at each end along the axial direction of the tube 100, and a weak region 130 between the second edge 1212 and the adjacent third edge 1101. When the tube 100 is bent to the maximum angle, the orthographic projection of the stop portion of the two joints 110 along the axial direction of the tube 100 covers the orthographic projection of the weak region 130 along the axial direction of the tube 100.
[0059] When the tube body 100 is bent to its maximum angle, the joints 110 abut against each other, as shown in Figure 4. When the joints 110 abut, the weak area 130 will bear stress. If the stress on the weak area 130 is too great, it can easily lead to collapse, affecting the stability of the tube body 100 when bent to its maximum angle. Therefore, by having the orthographic projection of the abutting portions of the two joints 110 along the axial direction of the tube body 100 cover the orthographic projection of the weak area 130 along the axial direction of the tube body 100, the other parts of the tube body 100 can bear the stress when the joints 110 abut against each other, preventing the weak area 130 from collapsing and thus ensuring the stability of the tube body 100 when bent to its maximum angle.
[0060] As a preferred embodiment, as shown in Figures 2, 4 and 6, the width of the weak region 130 along the axial direction of the tube body 100 is fixed from the middle of the second edge 1212 to both ends of the second edge 1212.
[0061] When the tube body 100 is bent to its maximum angle, the stress generated by the two joints 110 will always be transmitted to the weak area 130. Therefore, by setting the width of the weak area 130 along the axial direction of the tube body 100 to be constant, the stress borne by the weak area 130 is dispersed, minimizing the possibility of collapse of the weak area 130. If the width of the weak area 130 along the axial direction of the tube body 100 changes, the stress will inevitably concentrate in the area of the weak area 130 with the smallest width along the axial direction of the tube body 100, making the weak area 130 prone to collapse.
[0062] Furthermore, during the bending process, the smaller, weaker area 130 of the tube 100 is precisely the part of the tube 100 with a larger bending angle, thereby reducing the force required for bending the tube 100.
[0063] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 2, 4, and 6, the width of the weak region 130 along the axial direction of the tube body 100 on both sides of the circumferential direction increases from the middle of the second edge 1212 to both ends of the second edge 1212. By increasing the width of the weak region 130 along the axial direction of the tube body 100 from the middle of the second edge 1212 to both ends of the second edge 1212, the strength of the weak region 130 is increased. This satisfies the requirement of reducing stamping precision while ensuring that the weak region 130 does not collapse when the tube body 100 is bent to its maximum angle.
[0064] It should be noted that the circumferential direction of the tube body 100 is shown as O1 in Figure 1, and the same applies below.
[0065] As shown in Figure 4, when the tube 100 is bent to its maximum angle, the orthographic projection of the stop portion of the two joints 110 along the axial direction of the tube 100 covers the orthographic projection of the rope hole 121 along the axial direction of the tube 100.
[0066] Due to the presence of the rope passage hole 121, the axial stress-bearing area of the joint 110 at the rope passage hole 121 is always relatively small. If the stress generated by the two joints 110 acting at this point for a prolonged period, it can easily cause the joint 110 to collapse at the rope passage hole 121. Therefore, by using the orthogonal projection of the two joints along the axial direction of the pipe body 100 to cover the orthogonal projection of the rope passage hole 121 along the axial direction of the pipe body 100, the stress-bearing area at the stop is increased to better bear the stress and further ensure the stability of the pipe during bending.
[0067] As shown in Figure 2, the concave buckle structure 122 has a connecting part 1221 and a deformable part 1222, and the stiffness of the deformable part 1222 is less than the stiffness of the connecting part 1221.
[0068] When the concave buckle structure 122 is stamped, because the stiffness of the deformable part 1222 is less than that of the connecting part 1221, the deformation of the deformable part 1222 is significantly greater than that of the connecting part 1221 during the stamping process. This allows the concave buckle structure 122 to better recess into the tube body 100. When the tube body 100 is used for an endoscope 300, this facilitates the better passage of the traction rope through the concave buckle structure 122.
[0069] In some embodiments, there is one connecting part 1221 and two deformable parts 1222. The connecting part 1221 is connected to the deformable parts 1222 at both ends along the circumference of the tube body 100.
[0070] In some embodiments, there are three connecting parts 1221 and two deformable parts 1222. The connecting part 1221 located in the middle is connected to the deformable part 1222 and the connecting part 1221 in sequence at both ends of the tube body 100 along the circumference.
[0071] In some embodiments, the connecting portion 1221 and the deformable portion 1222 are each one.
[0072] As shown in Figure 2, the width of the connecting part 1221 along the axial direction of the tube body 100 is greater than the width of the deformable part 1222 along the axial direction of the tube body 100. As a result, the stiffness of the connecting part 1221 is greater than the stiffness of the deformable part 1222. Therefore, during the stamping process, the deformation of the deformable part 1222 is significantly greater than that of the connecting part 1221.
[0073] In some embodiments, the thickness of the connecting portion 1221 can be greater than the thickness of the deformable portion 1222, thereby making the stiffness of the connecting portion 1221 greater than the stiffness of the deformable portion 1222.
[0074] As shown in Figures 9-11, the middle part of the concave buckle structure 122 bends towards the inside of the tube body 100 at both ends along the axial direction of the tube body 100.
[0075] When the tube 100 is used for endoscopy, one end of the traction rope passes through multiple recessed buckle structures 122 in sequence. The traction rope sags under gravity, with a greater sag where there are no recessed buckle structures 122, resulting in an angle between the traction rope and the recessed buckle structures 122. This leads to greater frictional wear between the traction rope and the edges of the recessed buckle structures 122 during movement, which can cause burrs to appear on the outer surface of the traction rope over time, and in severe cases, breakage. Therefore, in this embodiment, the middle portion of the recessed buckle structure 122 is bent inwards along the axial direction of the tube 100 at both ends. The bent ends of the recessed buckle structure 122 can support the traction rope, reducing the angle between the traction rope and the recessed buckle structure 122, thereby reducing frictional wear during movement.
[0076] As shown in Figures 1 and 3, several rope-passing structures 120 are respectively set on the first and second sides of the radial direction of the tube body 100.
[0077] When the tube 100 is used with the endoscope 300, the traction rope can pass through several rope-passing structures 120 from the first and second sides of the tube 100 respectively. Under the action of the traction mechanism, the tube 100 can bend towards the first or second side. When the active bending section is used with the endoscope 300, a wider field of view can be obtained.
[0078] As a preferred embodiment, the first side and the second side are two radially opposite sides of the tube 100, which better meets the actual needs of bending the tube 100 during the operation.
[0079] As shown in FIG12, the distal end of the insertion portion 200 provided in some embodiments of this application is connected to the proximal end of the active bending segment.
[0080] As shown in FIG12, some embodiments of this application provide an insertion portion 200, and the endoscope 300 includes an insertion portion 200.
[0081] 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.
[0082] 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.
[0083] 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.
[0084] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of this application, but the scope of protection of this application is not limited thereto. Any changes or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technology disclosed in this application should be included within the scope of protection of this application.
Claims
1. An active bending segment, characterized in that, Includes a tube body, the tube body having multiple rope-passing structures, each of the rope-passing structures forming two rope-passing holes on both sides of the tube body along its axial direction; The rope hole has a first edge and a second edge along the axial direction of the tube body. The two first edges are arranged close to each other and form an inward buckle structure between them. The middle part of the inward buckle structure is recessed towards the inside of the tube body. The distance between the first edge and the second edge along the axial direction of the tube body decreases from the middle of the first edge toward both ends of the first edge.
2. The active bending segment according to claim 1, characterized in that, The distance between the two second edges along the axial direction of the tube body decreases from the middle of the second edges toward both ends of the second edges.
3. The active bending segment according to claim 2, characterized in that, The tube has several joints, and the rope-passing structure is disposed at the joints. The joint has a third edge at each end along the axial direction of the tube, and there is a weak region between the second edge and the adjacent third edge; When the tube is bent to its maximum angle, the orthographic projection of the stop portion of the two joints along the axial direction of the tube covers the orthographic projection of the weak area along the axial direction of the tube.
4. The active bending segment according to claim 1, characterized in that, The tube has several joints, and the rope-passing structure is disposed at the joints. When the tube is bent to its maximum angle, the orthographic projection of the stop portion of the two joints along the axial direction of the tube covers the orthographic projection of the rope hole along the axial direction of the tube.
5. The active bending segment according to claim 1, characterized in that, The recessed buckle structure has a connecting part and a deformable part, and the stiffness of the deformable part is less than that of the connecting part.
6. The active bending segment according to claim 5, characterized in that, The width of the connecting portion along the axial direction of the pipe body is greater than the width of the deformable portion along the axial direction of the pipe body.
7. An active bending segment according to claim 5, characterized in that, The middle part of the concave buckle structure bends towards the inside of the tube body at both ends along the axial direction of the tube body.
8. An active bending segment according to any one of claims 1-7, characterized in that, Several of the rope-passing structures are respectively provided on a first side and a second side of the radial direction of the tube body.
9. An insertion part, characterized in that, 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 in that, Includes the insertion portion as described in claim 9.