JPH07184843A - Endoscope - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To achieve a fixing of an outer skin tube on a bending part easily and accurately by molding a retaining member integral at least at one end of the outer skin tube in an endoscope having an outer skin of the bending part made up of the outer skin tube to fix the member at a connection part between a soft part, and the bending part. CONSTITUTION:This endoscope has a tubule-shaped soft part 3 extending from an operating part. the soft part 3 is covered with a screen-like tube 5 on the outer circumference of a metal spiral pipe 4 while an outer skin tube 6 comprising an elastic material is provided on the outer circumference thereof. A bending part 7 which has a bending pipe 8 linked to a plurality of short pipe members covered with a screen-like pipe 9 on the outer circumference thereof while an outer skin tube 10 made of an elastic material is provided on the circumference thereof is provided successively at the tip of the soft part 3. In this case, electrically insulating ring-shaped retaining members 23 and 24 are insert-molded at both ends of the outer skin tube 10 and bonded securely on the outer circumferential surfaces of a tip member 13 and a connection pipe 14. The retaining member 24 is fitted to be inserted from the side of a tip part 12 and mounted so as to butt against and end face of the outer skin tube 6.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an endoscope used for medical purposes.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, an endoscope of this type has a bending portion at a tip of a flexible portion extending from an operating portion, and the bending portion is operated by operating an angle operation lever provided on the operating portion. It is designed to bend vertically or horizontally. The bending portion of such an endoscope is formed, for example, by covering the outer circumference of a bending tube formed by connecting a plurality of short tube members in the axial direction with a mesh tube and further providing an outer tube on the outer circumference of the mesh tube. ing.

Since the outer tube of such a curved portion is generally made of an elastic material such as rubber, when the outer tube is attached to the outer periphery of the mesh tube, the curved tube is connected to the spiral tube of the flexible portion. After connecting via a pipe, an outer tube is incorporated into the outer circumference of the curved pipe from the tip side, the end is fastened to the connecting pipe with a winding thread, and the fastened portion is fixed with an adhesive (JP-A-58-58). (See Japanese Patent No. 12640).

[0004]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional endoscope, the adhesive applied to the tightened portion may project from the surface of the outer tube, so that the guide tube and other endoscopes may be used. In the case of a parent-child type child scope to be inserted into the channel of, there is a problem that the insertability becomes poor and it is easily damaged by friction with the outside.

Therefore, in order to solve such a problem, an endoscope in which a shape memory alloy, a ring-shaped rubber band, a heat-shrinkable tube or the like is used to fasten and fix an outer tube is practically used. It is disclosed in JP-A-104428 and JP-A-59-197233.

However, the above-mentioned endoscope has a problem that a separate fixing member for tightening and fixing the outer tube is required. Further, in the case of the shape memory alloy and the heat shrinkable tube, since the heat treatment work is included, workability is poor, and there is a problem that the heat treatment work deteriorates the physical properties depending on the material of the outer tube.

In the case of a medical endoscope, the outer tube is fixed with the above-mentioned fixing member so that the inner wall of the body cavity is not damaged, and then an adhesive or the like is applied to the boundary between the soft portion and the fixing member. There is a problem that it is necessary to apply it and to finish it smoothly so that there is no step or the like. The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and an object thereof is to provide an endoscope capable of securely fixing an outer tube to a curved portion easily and inexpensively. .

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above problems, the present invention has a flexible portion extending from an operating portion, which has a curved portion at its distal end, and the outer skin of the curved portion is formed by an outer tube made of an elastic material. In the formed endoscope, a locking member is integrally formed on at least one end of the outer tube, and the locking member is fixed to a connecting portion between the flexible portion and the bending portion.

[0009]

In the present invention, a locking member is integrally formed on at least one end of the outer tube, and the locking member is fixed to the connecting portion between the flexible portion and the bending portion, so that the outer tube can be bent easily and at low cost. It can be securely fixed to the part.

[0010]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1 and 2 show an endoscope according to a first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the endoscope 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes a thin tubular flexible portion 3 extending from an operating portion 2. As shown in FIG. 2, the soft part 3 has a mesh tube 5 covering the outer circumference of a spiral tube 4 formed by spirally forming a metal thin strip, and an elastic material such as rubber on the outer circumference of the mesh tube 5. The outer skin tube 6 made of is formed, and a curved portion 7 having substantially the same diameter as the flexible portion 3 is continuously provided at the tip thereof.

As shown in FIG. 2, the bending portion 7 has a mesh tube 9 covering the outer circumference of a bending tube 8 formed by connecting a plurality of short tube members in the axial direction. 1
0 is provided, and is bent in the up-down direction or the left-right direction by operating the angle operation lever 11 provided in the operation unit 2.

Further, the endoscope 1 according to this embodiment is provided with an endoscope tip portion 12 (see FIG. 1) on the tip side of the bending portion 7. As shown in FIG. 2, the endoscope distal end portion 12 is formed by fitting a cylindrical distal end member 13 made of a metal material to the distal end of the bending tube 8, and the distal end surface thereof includes an illumination window and An observation window is provided, and an opening for inserting a treatment tool such as forceps is formed in the body cavity.

Further, the endoscope 1 according to this embodiment includes a connecting pipe 14 (see FIG. 2). The connecting pipe 14 is for connecting the spiral pipe 4 of the flexible portion 3 and the bending pipe 8 of the bending portion 7 and is made of a hard material such as metal. Further, the endoscope 1 according to the present embodiment includes the angle operation lever 1
The optical image incident on the angle operation wire 15 and the objective lens 16 for transmitting the operation force of No. 1 to the tip of the bending tube 8 and the operation unit 2
An image guide fiber 18, which is guided to the eyepiece portion 17 provided at the rear end, a suction mouthpiece 19, a forceps plug 20, a universal cord 21 and the like are provided, and a connector 22 is provided at the tip of the universal cord 21.

The outer tube 10 of the curved portion 7 is made of an elastic material such as rubber, and both ends thereof are ring-shaped locking members 2 made of an electrically insulating material such as ceramics.
3, 24 are integrally provided by insert molding. These locking members 23 and 24 have an outer diameter substantially the same as that of the outer tube 10, and the tip member 13 and the connecting pipe 14 are provided.
It is adhesively fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the.

The locking member 23 has a step portion 27 that engages with an annular projection 26 provided on the outer peripheral surface of the tip member 13, and a cover portion 28 that covers the tip surface of the tip member 13.
have.

In such a structure, the outer tube 1
When assembling 0, the locking member 24 is attached to the endoscope tip 1
Insert from the 2 side, slide on the reticulated tube 9 of the curved portion 7, and abut the locking member 24 against the end surface of the outer tube 6 of the flexible portion 3. At this time, the cover portion 28 of the locking member 23
Is adjusted so that the front end surfaces of the objective lens 16, the illumination lens, the channel, and the like coincide with the opening window of the cover portion 28. An adhesive is applied in advance to the outer peripheral surfaces of the connecting pipe 13 and the tip member 13.

In the first embodiment of the present invention having the above-described structure, it is not necessary to fix the outer cover tube 10 of the bending portion 7 to the connecting portion between the flexible portion 3 and the bending portion 7 by thread winding. This eliminates the need for skilled work processes. In addition, since unnecessary tightening force is not applied from the outside unlike the case of fixing the bobbin, deterioration of the physical properties of the outer tube 10 can be prevented.

Furthermore, since the locking members 23 and 24 are formed of an electrically insulating material such as ceramics, the outer sheath of the distal end of the endoscope insertion portion can be entirely covered with an insulating material at the same time when the outer tube 10 is connected and the high frequency The electrical safety in treatment can be improved. Further, since the locking members 23 and 24 have an outer diameter substantially the same as that of the outer tube 10, the adhesive does not project from the outer surfaces of the flexible portion 3 and the curved portion 7 as in the case of fixing the bobbin. .

In the first embodiment of the present invention described above,
Although the locking members 23 and 24 are formed of an electrically insulating material such as ceramics, they may be formed of a metal material such as stainless steel. In addition, as in the second embodiment shown in FIG. 3, in order to enhance the bondability with the outer tube 10, the locking members 23, 24 are provided.
Provided with a groove-shaped uneven surface 29, 30 on a part of the inner peripheral surface of
These uneven surfaces 29 and 30 may be joint surfaces with the outer tube 10.

Further, in order to accurately position the locking member 24, as shown in FIG. 3, a step portion 31 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the connecting pipe 14, and the end surface of the locking member 24 is provided on the step portion 31. You may make it hit.

FIG. 4 shows a procedure for incorporating the pin 41 into the forceps plug 20 made of an elastic material such as silicon rubber. When the pin 41 is incorporated in the slit portion 20a of the forceps plug 20, as shown in FIG. 4A, first, a member 42 formed by continuously forming a plurality of pins 41 is housed inside a pipe 43. deep. 4 (b) and FIG.
As shown in (c), after inserting the pipe 43 accommodating the plurality of pins 41 into the slit portion 20a of the forceps plug 20, only the pipe 43 is pulled out. Next, as shown in FIG. 4D, by cutting the pin 41 that has come out of the pipe 43, the pin 41 is incorporated into the slit portion 20a of the forceps plug 20, and the fixation of the slit portion 20a during γ-ray sterilization is performed. To be prevented.

FIG. 5 shows the distal end portion of the endoscope insertion portion. As shown in the figure, the endoscope insertion portion has a thin tubular flexible portion 3 extending from an operation portion (not shown). The flexible portion 3 is formed by providing a mesh tube 5 on the outer circumference of a spiral tube 4 formed by spirally winding a rigid plate material,
A curved portion 7 having substantially the same diameter as that of the flexible portion 3 is continuously provided at the tip thereof.

The bending portion 7 is formed by providing a reticulated tube 9 on the outer circumference of a bending tube 8 composed of a plurality of short tube members, and the distal end portion of the endoscope having a diameter substantially the same as that of the bending portion 7 at the tip thereof. 12 are arranged in series. The endoscope tip portion 12 is formed by fitting a cylindrical tip member 13 to the tip of the bending tube 8.
Although not shown, an endoscope optical system such as an objective lens, an image guide fiber, an illumination lens, and a light guide fiber, and a built-in insertion portion such as a channel are connected to the rear end.

On the outer circumferences of the flexible portion 3 and the curved portion 7,
A skin tube 32 is provided. The outer skin tube 32 forms the outer skin of the flexible portion 3 and the curved portion 7, and is made of an elastic material such as rubber. The hardness of the outer tube 32 is continuously changing, and the hardness of the flexible portion 3 side is higher than that of the flexible portion 3 side.

The outer tube 32 is formed by assembling the curved portion 7 at the tip of the flexible portion 3 and then coating the melted elastic material on the outer surfaces of the flexible portion 3 and the curved portion 7 using a molding machine. Has been done.

In the endoscope constructed as described above, when the angle operation wire 15 is pulled by an unillustrated ang operation lever or the like, the outer skin tube 32 at the portion indicated by A in the figure expands and contracts, and the tip portion bends. Since the outer skin tube 32 in the portion indicated by A in the figure is sufficiently less flexible than the outer skin tube 32 in the portion indicated by B in the figure, it can be performed in the same manner as a normal operation. On the other hand, the outer skin tube 3 in the portion indicated by B in the figure
2 has sufficient flexibility to obtain the torque transmissibility and the push-pull force transmissibility required when performing the insertion operation of the endoscope.

FIG. 6 shows a modified example of the endoscope insertion portion shown in FIG. This endoscope insertion portion has a thin tubular flexible portion 3 extending from an operation portion (not shown). The flexible portion 3 is a spiral tube 4 formed by spirally winding a rigid plate material.
Is formed by providing a mesh tube 5 on the outer periphery thereof, and a curved portion 7 having substantially the same diameter as the flexible portion 3 is continuously provided at the tip thereof. The bending portion 7 is formed by providing a reticulated tube 9 on the outer circumference of a bending tube 8 composed of a plurality of short tube members, and a distal end of an endoscope tip portion 12 having substantially the same diameter as the bending portion 7 is connected to the tip thereof. It is set up.

The endoscope tip portion 12 is formed by fitting a cylindrical tip member 13 to the tip of the bending tube 8, and at the rear end thereof, although not shown, an objective lens, an image guide fiber, An endoscope optical system such as an illumination lens and a light guide fiber, and a built-in insertion part such as a channel are connected.

On the outer circumferences of the flexible portion 3 and the curved portion 7,
An outer skin tube 33 that forms the outer skin of the flexible portion 3 and the curved portion 7 is provided. The outer skin tube 33 is made of an elastic material such as rubber, and the outer skin tube 33 in the portion indicated by A in the figure is thinner than the outer skin tube 33 in the portion indicated by B in the figure.

With the endoscope insertion portion configured as described above, it is possible to obtain the same operational effects as the endoscope insertion portion shown in FIG.

The method of molding the outer tubes 32 and 33 is not limited to the melt coating method, and a method of fitting and fixing a preformed elastic tube may be used. 7 and 8 show a high-frequency ablation tool used for ablating tissue in a living body. As shown in FIG. 7, the high-frequency ablation tool 50 includes a flexible sheath 51 as an insertion portion which is inserted into the body cavity through the endoscope and a proximal end side of the flexible sheath 51. The operation unit 52 is provided.

The flexible sheath 51 is made of an electrically insulating material, and has a water supply mouthpiece 53 at its base end. A hollow base 54 is provided at the rear end of the water supply base 53.
(See FIG. 8) is provided, and a fixture 56 is attached to the base end portion of the operation pipe 55 that is inserted through the mouthpiece 54. Further, a high-frequency incision portion 57 is provided near the tip of the flexible sheath 51.

As shown in FIG. 7B, the operating portion 52 has an operating portion main body 58, and a chuck (not shown) for fitting the mouthpiece 54 at the tip of the operating portion main body 58.
Is provided. The chuck 54 is mounted on the operation portion main body 58 by rotating the rotary ring 59 mounted on the outer periphery and opening and closing the chuck. Also,
An elongated hole 60 is formed in the operation portion main body 58 along the longitudinal direction, and the slider 6 slidable along the elongated hole 60.
1 is provided with an operation button 62.

The fixture 56 is mounted on a holder (not shown) in the slider 61 by operating the operation button 62. At the tip of the flexible sheath 51, as shown in FIG. 8, a ball-shaped hard tip 6 having an electrically insulating property is provided.
3 is provided. Meanwhile, a fixing member 65 for fixing the tip of the conductive wire 64 to the flexible sheath 51 is provided inside the flexible sheath 51.

A part of the conductive wire 64 is a wire insertion hole 66, 6 provided at the tip of the flexible sheath 51.
7 is inserted and exposed to the outside to form a high-frequency cutout 57. The rear end of the conductive wire 64 is inserted into the operation pipe 55 provided on the proximal end side of the flexible sheath 51, and is fixed to the fixture 56 together with the operation pipe 55.

The conductive wire 64 is connected to the slider 61.
It is electrically connected to the high-frequency generator via a holder (not shown), a socket (not shown) and a cord provided on the. In such a configuration, when the slider 61 of the operation portion 52 is pulled toward the hand side, a tensile force is applied to the conductive wire 64, and the distal end portion of the flexible sheath 51 is in the state shown in FIG. 9 (a). On the contrary, when the slider 61 is pushed out to the tip side, the conductive wire 64 bends and the state shown in FIG. 9B is obtained.

The high frequency cutting tool 50 constructed as described above.
Thus, for example, in the case of making an incision near the duodenal papilla, the flexible sheath 51 is inserted into the body cavity through an endoscope that has been previously inserted near the duodenal papilla in the body cavity. After confirming the duodenal papilla with an endoscope, the flexible sheath 51 is advanced and the high-frequency incision 57 is inserted up to near the duodenal papilla. Then, the slider 61 is operated to move the conductive wire 64.
Make contact with the part you want to make an incision, and apply a high-frequency current to make the incision. Therefore, it is possible to improve the insertability into the duodenal papilla and prevent damage to the papilla.

FIG. 10 shows a first modification of the high-frequency ablation tool shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. The high frequency ablation tool of this modified example is different from the high frequency ablation tool shown in FIG. 7 in that the shape of the rigid tip 63 is a tapered shape having a smooth curved surface at the tip, and other configurations are shown in FIGS. This is the same as the high frequency cutting tool shown in FIG.

FIG. 11 shows a second modification of the high-frequency cutting tool shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. The high frequency ablation tool of this modification is different from the high frequency ablation tool shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 in that the shape of the hard tip 63 is a constricted shape having a smooth curved surface, and other configurations are as shown in FIG. This is the same as the high frequency cutting tool shown in FIGS.

The high-frequency ablation tool having such a structure has the same function and effect as the high-frequency ablation tool shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, and the constriction of the rigid tip 63 catches on the teat and the incision tool does not fall out. It can be prevented.

FIG. 12 shows a third modification of the high frequency ablation tool shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. As shown in FIG. 12A, the high-frequency cutting tool of this modification has a flexible sheath 51.
A curved portion 68 is provided at the tip portion of the. This curved portion 68
As shown in FIG. 12B, the conductive wire 64 has an ideal cutting direction (11 to 12) with respect to the flexible sheath 51.
It is formed so as to face the direction of time).

In such a structure, the flexible sheath 5 as an insertion portion is inserted into the body cavity through the endoscope channel.
When 1 is inserted, the bending portion 68 advances along the bending of the distal end of the endoscope. Therefore, when inserting the nipple, the orientation of the high-frequency incision portion 57 is
It becomes constant in the ideal incision direction for bending. Therefore, the high-frequency incision portion 57 is always inserted into the duodenal papilla in a state in which the high-frequency incision portion 57 is oriented in an ideal direction, so that EST can be performed safely.

FIG. 13 shows a modification of the high-frequency cutting tool shown in FIG. The high frequency cutting tool of this modification is shown in FIG.
3 is different from the high-frequency ablation tool shown in FIG.
1 is that a hard tip 63 is provided at the tip of No. 1, and other configurations are similar to those of the high-frequency cutting tool shown in FIG. Figure 1
With the high-frequency cutting tool shown in 3, it is possible to improve the insertability into the duodenal papilla and prevent damage to the papilla. Further, since the high-frequency incision portion 57 always faces the ideal direction during insertion, EST can be performed safely.

FIG. 14 shows a forceps plug 20 attached to the treatment instrument insertion port of the endoscope. As shown in the figure, the forceps plug 20 includes a housing 71 made of a resin material having a little elasticity such as polyethylene, and three plug bodies 73, 79, 82 provided in the housing 71. ing.

The first plug body 73 is made of an elastic material such as silicon rubber. Further, as shown in FIG. 15A, the first plug body 73 is composed of two semi-cylindrical members 74a and 74b facing each other, and is provided at the lower end of the treatment instrument insertion port 72 formed in the housing 71 and the tip of the syringe. A protrusion 75 formed so that the inner diameter is smaller than the outer diameter,
An introduction passage 76 having an inner diameter larger than the inner diameter of the protrusion 75, a hemispherical closing film portion 77 provided in the lower portion of the introducing passage 76, and a slit 78 provided in the closing film portion 77 are provided. is doing. The contact surface of the slit 78 is rough.

The second stopper main body 79 provided below the first stopper main body 73 is made of an elastic material such as silicone rubber, like the first stopper main body 73. Further, as shown in FIG. 15B, the second plug body 79 has a small hole 8 having an inner diameter smaller than the outer diameter of the sheath portion 87 of the treatment tool.
0, and a thin disk-shaped film portion 81 having the same center as the small hole 80.

The third plug body 82 provided below the second plug body 79 is made of an elastic material such as silicon rubber, like the first plug body 73 and the second plug body 79. Has been done. The third plug body 82 is shown in FIG.
As shown in (a), two semi-cylindrical members 83 facing each other.
a and 83b, and has a hemispherical closing membrane 84. This closing film 84 has a slit 85, and its contact surface is a rough surface like the slit 78 of the first plug body 73. In addition, the lower end portion of the third plug body 82 is provided with a convex portion 86 that can be pressed against the upper end surface of the insertion opening of the endoscope.

The first stopper body 73 and the second stopper body 82
Has two cylindrical semi-cylindrical members of the same shape, which are joined to face each other and are housed in the housing 71 to form one cylindrical plug body. The protruding portion 75 of the housing 71, which is close to the treatment instrument insertion port 72, can maintain airtightness with the distal end portion of the syringe by being pressed into contact with the wall surface of the distal end portion by inserting the distal end portion of the syringe. Further, the slit 78 is normally airtightly closed by the elastic force of the closing film portion 77.

In the second plug body 79, the small hole 80 is elastically deformed by the insertion of the treatment instrument, and the sheath portion 8 of the treatment instrument is
7 and airtightness can be maintained. In addition, the second stopper body 7
As shown in FIG. 15B, the disc-shaped film portion 81 of No. 9 elastically deforms following the insertion / removal of the sheath portion 87. The slit 85 of the third stopper body 82 is usually formed by the closing film portion 84.
It is airtightly closed by the elastic force of. Then, the treatment tool can be inserted into the slit 85 through the small hole 80 of the second plug body 79.

In the forceps plug 20 constructed as described above, the contact surface of the slit, which is normally airtightly closed by the elastic force, is made rough so that the close contact of the slit can be prevented. Further, since the projection 75 close to the insertion port 72 of the housing 71 keeps the airtightness even when the syringe is inclined, the liquid can be delivered without leaking. Further, the disc-shaped film portion 81 can prevent the backflow of the fluid from the endoscope and prevent the infection from the body fluid or the like of the patient.

FIG. 16 shows a modification of the forceps plug shown in FIGS. 14 and 15. As shown in FIG. 16, the forceps plug 20 is configured by providing a plug body 87 made of an elastic material such as silicon rubber in a housing 71 made of a resin material having a little elasticity such as polyethylene.

The plug body 87 is composed of two semi-cylindrical members, the joint surface of which is equal to the cut surface of FIG.
The outer diameter of is slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the housing 71. In addition, the stopper body 87 includes the protrusion 75 and the introduction path 7.
6, a hemispherical closing film 77, a disk-shaped film portion 81, and a hemispherical closing film 85. The closing films 77 and 85 are provided with slits 78 and 85 having a rough contact surface, and the disk is further formed. Membrane part 8
1 has a small hole 80.

The forceps plug 20 configured as described above has the same effects as the forceps plug 20 shown in FIG. 14 and can reduce the number of the plug bodies housed in the housing 71. FIG. 17 shows a first modification of the forceps plug shown in FIG. The forceps plug 20 is different from the forceps plug shown in FIG. 16 in that an annular thin plate 88 is provided on the lower surface of the plug body 87, and other configurations are similar to those of the forceps plug shown in FIG. .

The forceps plug 20 configured as described above can obtain the same effect as that of the forceps plug shown in FIG. 16, and the stopper is provided by the annular thin plate 88 provided on the lower surface of the plug body 87. The airtightness of the joint surface of the main body 87 can be enhanced. 18 and 19 show a second modification of the forceps plug shown in FIG. This forceps plug 20 is shown in FIG.
The difference from the forceps plug shown in FIG.
Is provided so as to form a three-dimensional plane, and other configurations are similar to those of the forceps plug shown in FIG.

The forceps plug 20 having such a structure can obtain the same effect as the forceps plug shown in FIG. 16, and enhances the airtightness of the joint surfaces of the pair of opposed plug bodies by the joint surfaces 90. be able to. 20 and 21
Shows a third modification of the forceps plug 20 shown in FIG. 16. The plug body 87 of the forceps plug 20 has undulations 91a and 91b on the joint surface 90. In addition, the undulations 91
The a and 91b are configured such that a pair of facing plug bodies 87 have the same shape.

The forceps plug 20 having such a structure can obtain the same effect as that of the forceps plug shown in FIG. 16, and the airtightness of the joint surface of the pair of opposed plug main bodies 87 can be obtained by the undulations 91a and 91b. You can improve your sex. 22 shows a fourth modification of the forceps plug shown in FIG. The forceps plug 20 is configured by providing a plug body 87 in a housing 71 made of a resin material having a little elasticity such as polyethylene.

The stopper main body 87 is made of an elastic material such as silicon rubber and is formed at the lower portion of the treatment instrument insertion port 72 so that the inner diameter is smaller than the outer diameter of the tip of the syringe.
An introduction path 76 having an inner diameter larger than the inner diameter of the protruding portion 75, a film portion upper surface 92 having a flat upper end, a shell-shaped film portion lower surface 93 having a lower end protruding downward, and a contact surface roughened. Closure Membrane 84 Having Faced Slit 85
A small hole 80 having an inner diameter smaller than the outer diameter of the sheath portion of the treatment instrument and a thin disk-shaped membrane portion 81 having the same center as the hole 80 are provided thereunder.

The lower end of the stopper body 87 is provided with a convex portion 86 which can be brought into pressure contact with the upper end surface of the mouthpiece of the insertion opening of the endoscope. The forceps plug 20 having the above-described configuration can obtain the same effect as the forceps plug shown in FIG. 16, and by making the upper end of the closing membrane portion 84 flat, the inside of the duct of the endoscope can be When a negative pressure is reached, the closing film portion 84 is opened, and it is possible to prevent intake of outside air into the endoscope through the plug body. Further, by making the lower end into a shell shape, it is possible to prevent the body fluid of the patient, which flows backward through the duct of the endoscope, from opening the closure membrane part 84. Then, the same effect can be obtained by one closing film portion without providing two or more closing film portions 84 in the stopper.

[0059]

As described above, the present invention provides an endoscope in which the flexible portion extending from the operating portion has a curved portion at its tip, and the outer skin of this curved portion is formed of an outer tube made of an elastic material. A locking member is integrally formed on at least one end of the outer tube, and the locking member is fixed to a connecting portion between the flexible portion and the bending portion.
Therefore, it is possible to provide an endoscope that can easily and inexpensively securely fix the outer tube to the curved portion.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an endoscope according to a first embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of a bending portion of the endoscope according to the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration of a bending portion of an endoscope according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a view showing a procedure for incorporating a pin into a forceps plug.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a configuration of a distal end portion of an endoscope insertion portion.

6 is a diagram showing a modification of the endoscope insertion portion shown in FIG.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a high-frequency cutting tool.

8 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the distal end portion of the insertion portion of the high-frequency cutting tool shown in FIG.

9 is an operation explanatory view of the high-frequency cutting tool shown in FIG.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a first modification of the high-frequency cutting tool shown in FIG.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a second modification of the high-frequency cutting tool shown in FIG. 7.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a third modification of the high-frequency cutting tool shown in FIG. 7.

13 is a diagram showing a modification of the high-frequency cutting tool shown in FIG.

FIG. 14 is a vertical sectional view of a forceps plug.

FIG. 15 is a view showing the configuration of the stopper body shown in FIG.

16 is a view showing a modified example of the forceps plug shown in FIG.

FIG. 17 is a view showing a first modification of the forceps plug shown in FIG.

FIG. 18 is a diagram showing a second modification of the forceps plug shown in FIG. 16.

FIG. 19 is a diagram showing a configuration of the stopper body shown in FIG. 18.

20 is a view showing a third modification of the forceps plug shown in FIG.

FIG. 21 is a diagram showing the configuration of the plug body shown in FIG. 20.

22 is a diagram showing a third modification of the forceps plug shown in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 2 ... Operation part 3 ... Soft part 7 ... Bending part 10 ... Outer skin tube 23, 24 ... Locking member

[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] April 18, 1994

[Procedure Amendment 1]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Name of item to be amended] Claims

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

[Claims]

[Procedure Amendment 2]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0008

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above problems, the present invention has a flexible portion extending from an operating portion, which has a curved portion at its distal end, and the outer skin of the curved portion is formed by an outer tube made of an elastic material. In the formed endoscope, a locking member is integrally formed on at least one end of the outer tube.

[Procedure 3]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0009

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

[0009]

According to the present invention, since the locking member is integrally formed with at least one end of the outer tube, the outer tube can be securely fixed to the curved portion easily and inexpensively.

[Procedure amendment 4]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0010

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

[0010]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1 and 2 show an endoscope according to a first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the endoscope 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes a thin tubular flexible portion 3 extending from an operating portion 2. The flexible portion 3, as shown in FIG. 2, the outer periphery of the spiral tube 4 obtained by forming a metal strip thin spirally covered with mesh tube 5, further port on the outer periphery of the mesh tube 5
An outer tube 6 made of a thermoplastic resin such as urethane is provided and formed, and a curved portion 7 having substantially the same diameter as the flexible portion 3 is continuously provided at the tip thereof.

[Procedure Amendment 5]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0019

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

In the first embodiment of the present invention described above,
Although the locking members 23 and 24 are formed of an electrically insulating material such as ceramics, they may be formed of a metal material such as stainless steel. In addition, as in the second embodiment shown in FIG. 3, in order to enhance the bondability with the outer tube 10, the locking members 23, 24 are provided.
Is provided with a thread groove-shaped uneven surface 29, 30 on a part of the outer peripheral surface of
These uneven surfaces 29 and 30 may be joint surfaces with the outer tube 10.

[Procedure correction 6]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Name of item to be corrected] 0024

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

On the outer circumferences of the flexible portion 3 and the curved portion 7,
A skin tube 32 is provided. The outer skin tube 32 forms the outer skin of the flexible portion 3 and the curved portion 7, and is made of a resin material integrally molded . Then, the outer skin tube 32 is changing its the hardness continuously, part and indicated by the portion and the A in the figure shown in the figure B, towards a portion indicated by B in the figure hardness is higher.

[Procedure Amendment 7]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Name of item to be corrected] 0025

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

The outer tube 32 is melted by using a molding machine after the bending portion 7 is attached to the tip of the flexible portion 3.
It is formed by coating the outer surface of the flexible portion 3 and the curved portion 7 with a resin material .

[Procedure Amendment 8]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Name of item to be corrected] 0029

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

On the outer circumferences of the flexible portion 3 and the curved portion 7,
An outer skin tube 33 that forms the outer skin of the flexible portion 3 and the curved portion 7 is provided. This outer tube 33
It is formed of a resin material integrally molded, and the outer tube 33 in the portion indicated by A in the figure is thinner than the outer tube 33 in the portion indicated by B in the figure.

[Procedure Amendment 9]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Name of item to be corrected] 0032

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

The flexible sheath 51 is made of an electrically insulating material, and has a water supply mouthpiece 53 at its base end. A hollow base 54 is provided at the rear end of the water supply base 53.
(See FIG. 7 (b)) is provided, the fixture at the proximal end portion of the operating pipe 55 are inserted within this ferrule 54 56
Is attached. Further, a high-frequency incision portion 57 is provided near the tip of the flexible sheath 51.

[Procedure Amendment 10]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Name of item to be corrected] 0037

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

The high frequency cutting tool 50 constructed as described above.
Thus, for example, in the case of making an incision near the duodenal papilla, the flexible sheath 51 is inserted into the body cavity through an endoscope that has been previously inserted near the duodenal papilla in the body cavity. After confirming the duodenal papilla with an endoscope, the flexible sheath 51 is advanced and the high-frequency incision 57 is inserted up to near the duodenal papilla. Then, the slider 61 is operated to move the conductive wire 64.
Make contact with the part you want to make an incision, and apply a high-frequency current to make the incision. At this time, at the tip of the flexible sheath 51
By providing the ball-shaped hard tip 63,
Smooth insertion without damaging the nipple papilla
You can

[Procedure Amendment 11]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0052

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

The plug body 87 is composed of two semi-cylindrical members, the joint surface of which is equal to the cut surface of FIG.
The outer diameter of is slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the housing 71. In addition, the stopper body 87 includes the protrusion 75 and the introduction path 7.
6, hemispherical closing membrane 77, disk-shaped membrane 81, hemispherical closing membrane
The closing film 84 is provided with slits 78 and 85 having a rough contact surface, and the disc-shaped film portion 81 is provided with a small hole 80.

[Procedure Amendment 12]

[Document name to be corrected] Drawing

[Name of item to be corrected] Figure 5

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

[Figure 5]

[Procedure Amendment 13]

[Document name to be corrected] Drawing

[Name of item to be corrected] Figure 6

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

[Figure 6]

[Procedure Amendment 14]

[Document name to be corrected] Drawing

[Correction target item name] Fig. 16

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

FIG. 16

[Procedure Amendment 15]

[Document name to be corrected] Drawing

[Name of item to be corrected] Fig. 19

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

FIG. 19

[Procedure Amendment 16]

[Document name to be corrected] Drawing

[Name of item to be corrected] Fig. 20

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

FIG. 20

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Yasuyuki Futaki 2-34-2 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Olympus Optical Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Yosuke Yoshimoto 2-43 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo No. 2 Olympus Optical Industry Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Takeshi Takigawa 2-43-2 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo No. 2 Olympus Optical Industry Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Yasuhiko Kikuchi 2-43 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo No. 2 Olympus Optical Industry Co., Ltd.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. An endoscope in which a flexible portion extending from an operating portion has a curved portion at a tip thereof, and an outer skin of the curved portion is formed of an outer tube made of an elastic material, wherein at least one end of the outer tube is engaged. An endoscope characterized in that a stopper member is integrally molded, and the locking member is fixed to a connecting portion between the flexible portion and the bending portion.