JPH01244733A - Endoscope - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To execute the smooth connection of a flexible tube and a curved tube part and to improve insertability into a body cavity by unitedly forming an elastomer body which is the outer skin of the most outer layer of the flexible tube and the elastomer member which is the outer skin of the curved tube part, and making the outer diameter of an inserting part into the same diameter. CONSTITUTION:For the connection of a flexible tube 25 and a curved tube part 26 of an inserting part 23, a flex 33 and a blade 34 are successively laminated in the inner cavity of a large diameter part 36a of a connecting end metal 36, an edge is faced and fixed, an inner elastomer 35a of an outer skin 35 is made to abut on the edge of the large diameter part 36a by being made into the same outer diameter, and on the other hand, for the curved tube part 26, a cured ring 37 and a blade 36 are fitted on the outer circumference of a small diameter part 36b of the connecting end metal 36. The outer diameters of the inner layer elastomer 35a to compose the flexible tube 25 and the blade 38 to compose the large diameter part 36a of the connecting end metal 36 and the curved tube part 26 are the same diameter. Consequently, since a stepped difference and the partial increase of the outer diameter are not generated at a bounry between the flexible tube 25 and curved tube part 26, the inserting part 23 can be smoothly inserted into the body cavity.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to an endoscope with an improved connection structure between a flexible tube and a curved tube section of an insertion section inserted into a body cavity.

[Conventional technology]

A commonly used endoscope has a flexible body cavity insertion section connected to an operating section main body, and a distal end component is formed in this insertion section via a flexible tube and a curved tube section. As shown in Fig. 5, the connection structure between the flexible tube and the curved tube section consists of a flex 1 formed by spirally winding a band-shaped metal plate from the inside, and a flex 1 made of metal or fiber knitted around the outer periphery of the flex 1. A flexible tube 4 is formed of a plate 2 and a flexible tube 4 whose outer periphery is covered with a synthetic resin outer skin 3. This flexible tube 4
A curved pipe portion 9 is formed by sequentially laminating a curved ring 6 via a connection cap 5, a braid 7 woven from metal or fibers on the outer periphery of the curved ring 6, and an outer skin 8 covering the outer periphery of the curved ring 6. are connected. The boundary between the outer skin 8 of the curved pipe portion 9 and the outer skin 3 of the flexible tube 4 is wrapped with synthetic fiber yarn 10, and both the outer skins 3,
It is generally known that after binding 8, a dressing 11 is applied and fixed.

Here, the plurality of connected bending rings 6 bend more easily than the flex 1, and since the outer skin 8 is made of a flexible nidistomer, the bending tube part 9 can be bent by the bending operation on the operation part main body. ing.

However, in such a configuration, there is a step difference between the flexible tube 4 and the curved tube section 9, and since the outer skins 3 and 8 are tied together with a synthetic fiber thread 10 applied to the boundary between them, and an adhesive 11 is applied, the outer skins cannot be easily removed. The diameter increases in some areas, and the ease of insertion of the body cavity insertion part may deteriorate significantly due to the difference in level between the flexible tube 4 and the curved tube section 9.

Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 58-54807 is an improvement on this point, but in this configuration, the large diameter part of the connection cap, which consists of a large diameter part and a small diameter part, is located between the outer skin of the connection end of the flexible tube and the flex. The tip of the small diameter part is fitted and fixed to the inner peripheral surface of the curved ring, connecting the flexible tube and the curved tube, and the connecting end of the outer sheath of the flexible tube is attached to the connection mouthpiece. It extends along the outer peripheral surface of the step part and small diameter part to the end of the blade and curved ring of the curved pipe part, and the outer skin of the curved pipe part is overlapped on the outer peripheral surface of the connection side end. By binding it with thread, it is possible to prevent a partial increase in the outer diameter.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, in the structure of Utility Model Application Publication No. 58-54807, the boundary between the outer skin of the flexible tube and the outer skin of the curved tube portion is tied with a thread and exposed on the outer peripheral surface. A new problem has arisen in that filth and the like from the time of insertion into the body cavity can enter the gap, resulting in uncleanness. Moreover, since the outer circumferential surface is only tied tightly with thread, it is watertight, but water leaks easily due to loosening or breakage of the thread, and the durability is significantly reduced when used repeatedly like an endoscope. There was a drawback that

The present invention has been made with attention to the above problem, and its purpose is to provide a hygienic method for connecting the flexible tube and the curved tube section of the insertion section when inserted into a body cavity, and to provide a method that can be used repeatedly. An object of the present invention is to provide an endoscope that enables smooth connection between a flexible tube and a curved tube portion without inducing problems in terms of resistance, and improves insertability into a body cavity.

[Means and operations for solving the problems] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention sequentially laminates a flex, a braid, and at least two outer skins from the inside to form a flexible tube, and An endoscope having an insertion section in which a curved tube part is formed on the distal end side of the flexible tube via a connecting cap, and a curved ring, a blade, and an outer skin are sequentially laminated from the inside thereof, the outermost outer skin of the flexible tube. The elastomer member is integrally formed with the elastomer member that is the outer skin of the curved tube portion, and the outer diameter of the insertion portion is made the same. With such a configuration, the connection between the flexible tube and the curved tube portion forming the insertion portion into the body cavity becomes smooth, thereby improving the ease of insertion into the body cavity.

〔Example〕

1 and 2 show a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 shows the entire family celebration #t21. This endoscope 21 is composed of an operating section main body 22, an insertion section 23, and a universal cord 24, and the insertion section 23 is composed of a flexible tube 25 on the proximal end side and a curved tube connected to the distal end of the flexible tube 25. It consists of a section 26 and a tip structure section 27 attached to the tip of the curved tube section 26. Further, the operating section main body 22 is provided with a bending operation knob 28, and by rotating this bending operation knob 28, the bending tube section 26 interposed between the tip structure section 27 and the flexible tube 25 can be remotely bent. It is designed to allow

Furthermore, the operation section main body 22 includes an eyepiece section 29 for observing the inside of the body cavity. Treatment instrument insertion port 30 for inserting the treatment instrument.
Air/water supply button 31. A suction button 32 and the like are provided.

A part of FIG. 1 shows an enlarged view of the connecting portion between the flexible tube 25 and the curved tube section 26 of the insertion section 23 in FIG.
The flexible tube 25 has a flex 33 as a core material formed by spirally winding a band-shaped metal plate from the inside, a braid 34 woven with metal and fiber around the outer periphery of the flex 33, and a braid 34 woven from metal and fibers around the outer periphery of the flex 33 It is covered with a 2N outer skin 35 made of synthetic resin. Attached to the distal end of the flexible tube 25 is a metal connection cap 36 having a large diameter portion 36a on the proximal side and a small diameter portion 36b on the distal end. The ends of the flex 33 and the blade 34 are abutted and fixed in the inner cavity of the large diameter portion 36a of the connection cap 36. In addition, the inner layer elastomer 35a, which is the inner layer of the outer skin 35, has the same outer diameter as the large diameter portion 36a of the connection cap 36, and can abut against the end of the large diameter portion 36a of the connection cap 36 without creating a step. It is being A curved ring 37 on the proximal side is fitted onto the outer periphery of the small diameter portion 36b of the cap 36. A plurality of these curved rings 37 are arranged in the longitudinal direction and are pivotally connected to each other. Furthermore, a braid 38 made of metal and fiber is fitted around the outer periphery of the curved ring 37.

The outer periphery of this plate 38 is coated with an outer layer elastomer 35b to form a curved pipe portion 26. This outer layer elastomer 35b is also the outermost layer of the outer skin 35 of the flexible tube 25.

In other words, the outer skin of the curved tube section 26 is provided so that the outer layer elastomer 35b of the flexible tube 25 is extended to the curved tube section 26 and covered with the same outer diameter. In particular, the outer layer elastomer 35b is made of a material that is sufficiently softer than the inner layer elastomer 35a, so that the curved tube portion 26 can be bent more flexibly than the flexible tube 25. Further, on the outer peripheral surface of the flexible tube 25 or the curved tube section 26 of the insertion section 23, an index 39 is provided to indicate a scale of insertion length into the body cavity.

The flexible tube 25 and the curved tube section 26 of the insertion section 23 configured as described above are connected by a flex 33. The plates 34 are stacked one after another and their ends are abutted and fixed, and the inner layer nidistomer 35a of the outer skin 35 is brought into contact with the end of the large diameter part 36a with the same outer diameter, while the curved pipe part 26 is connected to the connection mouth 36. small diameter part 36
A curved ring 37 and a blade 38 are fitted around the outer periphery of b. Inner layer elastomer 35a constituting this flexible tube 25
Since the outer diameters of the large diameter portion 36a of the connection cap 36 and the plate 38 constituting the curved pipe portion 26 are the same diameter, the outer layer elastomer 35b is coated with the inner layer elastomer 35a on the outer peripheral surface of this outer diameter.

The large diameter portion 36a and the entire length of the blade 38 are coated. By doing this, there is no step difference or partial increase in the outer diameter at the boundary between the flexible tube 25 and the curved tube section 26, so when the insertion section 23 is inserted into the body cavity, it can be inserted smoothly into the groove, and the outermost layer Since there are no seams on the outer skin, there is no possibility of dirt or other substances adhering to it, making it hygienic and easy to clean.Since it is not tied down with threads, the threads will not come loose or break, so watertight measures are also required. Durability is also improved. Furthermore, since the outer layer elastomer 35b is made of a material that is sufficiently softer than the inner layer elastomer 35a, a sufficient bending operation can be performed by bending the operation section main body.

Next, FIG. 3 shows a second embodiment of the present invention.

This embodiment is almost the same as the first embodiment, but some configurations are different, so only the different parts will be explained, and other configurations will be omitted. In the first embodiment, the flexible tube 25
The inner flex 33 of the flexible tube 25 was made of a single layer, but in this embodiment, a double flex 40 with different winding directions was used. 2 inner layer elastomer 4
1c, and the outer diameter of the inner layer elastomer 41a is the connection cap 4.
The wall thickness of the large diameter part 42a of the connection cap 42 is the same as that of the small diameter part 42.
It is thinner than b. Furthermore, the thickness of the outer layer elastomer 41b is made thicker in the curved tube portion 26 than in the flexible tube 25, so that the overall outer diameters of the flexible tube 25 and the curved tube portion 26 are the same.

By doing this, the overall outer diameter does not change, so the insertion part into the body cavity can be smoothly inserted, and the flexible tube 25 on the proximal side of the operation part main body has an inner layer of elastomer with a thickness of 2M, so it can be easily inserted into the body cavity. Since the side is hard and the flexibility changes in two steps, insertability is further improved.

FIG. 4 shows a third embodiment of the invention. This embodiment is almost the same as the first embodiment, but the inner flex of the flexible tube 25 is made into a triple flex 43, and the curved ring 37 constituting the curved tube portion 26 is connected to the connection base 44.
The blade 3 is fitted onto the outer periphery of the small diameter portion 44b of the blade 3.
The rear end surface of 7 is in contact with the tip end surface of the small diameter portion 44b and the bent portion of the curved ring 37. And the large diameter part 4 of the connection cap 44
The thickness of the outer layer nylestomer 45b is changed at the boundary between the outer layer 4a and the small diameter portion 44b, and the wall on the flexible tube 25 side is made thinner.

The coating method for the inner layer Nidistomer and the outer layer elastomer may be to fit a tube over them, or to heat and melt them and extrude them onto the outer skin. Furthermore, the inner layer elastomer may be adhered with an adhesive or may be welded. Further, the manner in which the thickness of the outer layer elastomer changes is not limited to those of these examples as long as the outer diameter does not change.

In addition, in all of these examples, the hardness of the outer layer elastomer was sufficiently softer than that of the inner layer elastomer, and the hardness remained unchanged over the entire length of the insertion portion. The hardness does not necessarily have to be the same; in other words, the hardness may gradually increase toward the proximal side of the flexible tube, or the hardness on the flexible tube side may increase near the boundary between the flexible tube and the curved tube. It may change so that .

〔Effect of the invention〕

As explained above, according to the present invention, the entire length of the insertion section, including the connection part between the flexible tube and the curved tube section, is covered with the outermost layer, and the outer diameter of the flexible tube and the curved tube section is Because they have the same diameter, there is no step difference in the insertion part into the body cavity or a partial increase in the outer diameter, and unlike conventional methods, the outer periphery is not tied down with thread, so there is no loosening or breakage of the thread. The body cavity's filth does not adhere to the outer periphery of the body cavity, and it is highly hygienic and has no seams, so there is no need for watertight measures.Therefore, it reduces patient pain, can be easily inserted into narrow body cavities, and is durable. It will also be improved.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a partial cross-sectional view of the connecting portion between the flexible tube and the curved tube section showing the main parts in the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a general view of the endoscope of the first embodiment. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view of the connecting portion between the flexible tube and the curved tube section showing the main part in the second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is the main part in the third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a partial sectional view of a connecting portion between a flexible tube and a curved tube section in the related art. 21... Endoscope, 23... Insertion section, 25... Flexible tube. 26...Curved tube part, 30,40,43...Flex, 34.38...Blade, 35.41.45...
- Outer skin, 35a, 41a, 45a...inner layer elastomer. 35b, 41b, 45b--Outer layer elast? -, 41c - Second inner layer elastomer patent applicant Olympus Optical Industry Co., Ltd. Figure 4 OK Figure 5

Claims (1)

[Claims] A curved pipe portion formed by sequentially laminating a curved ring, a blade, and a skin from the inside is connected to the tip side of a flexible tube formed by sequentially laminating a flex ring, a blade, and at least two layers of outer skin from the inside via a connection cap. In the endoscope, the elastomer member that is the outermost outer skin of the flexible tube and the elastomer member that is the outer skin of the curved tube part are integrally formed, and the outer diameter of the insertion part is made the same diameter. An endoscope characterized by: