JP2018143583A - Endoscope - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an endoscope which can prevent damage to a treatment instrument insertion tube in inserting a treatment instrument having strong restoring force relative to bending.SOLUTION: An endoscope 1 includes: a treatment instrument insertion tube 27 provided inside an insertion part from an operational part 2; a treatment instrument introducing pipe line 19b which is extended from an opening part 19a in a D2 direction and communicates with the treatment instrument insertion tube 27 through a bending part 19c; a first mouth ring 21 in which a step part for connecting different inner diameter parts is provided in an insertion hole 21k; a tube deformation part 27a of the treatment instrument insertion tube 27 that is deformed in the D2 direction in inserting the treatment instrument; and a chamfered part 21e, 21h for reducing a load when the tube deformation part 27a abuts on the step part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to an endoscope having a treatment instrument insertion tube for inserting a treatment instrument.

  An endoscope generally includes a long insertion portion that is inserted into a subject, and an operation portion that is connected to the proximal end side of the insertion portion, and further includes a treatment instrument that is used for endoscopy. Some are provided with a treatment instrument channel for insertion.

  In an endoscope provided with a treatment instrument channel, the treatment instrument is inserted through the opening provided in the operation section, inserted through the treatment instrument channel, and protruded from the opening at the distal end of the insertion section. For example, tissue sampling is performed at the distal end of each.

  Here, since a general endoscope is provided with an opening for inserting a treatment tool on the side surface of the operation part, the treatment tool channel is located after the opening part is directed to the axial center of the operation part. The pipe structure is bent in the insertion axis direction. The treatment instrument channel has a structure in which a treatment instrument insertion tube having flexibility is arranged from the distal end portion of the insertion portion to the operation portion side, and the treatment instrument insertion tube is connected to a frame member such as a base in the operation portion. Yes.

  For example, FIG. 2 of JP-A-2015-100560 describes a treatment instrument insertion port provided on the side surface of the operation unit.

  For example, in FIG. 1 of Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 8-187218, a forceps base having an opening for inserting a treatment instrument constitutes a channel via a Y-shaped branch tube and a channel base. A configuration that communicates with a flexible tube is described.

  Further, for example, FIG. 2 of WO2012 / 005124 describes a configuration in which a treatment instrument insertion port is communicated with a treatment instrument insertion tube via a Y-shaped branching part and an Osae ring.

JP, 2015-100560, A JP-A-8-187218 WO2012 / 005124

  In an endoscope having a treatment instrument channel having a bent pipe structure as described above, when a treatment instrument having a strong restoring force against bending is inserted into the treatment instrument channel, the treatment instrument insertion tube is caused by the restoring force of the treatment instrument. May be pushed and bent in one direction, and may contact peripheral members in the endoscope. At this time, when the shape of the portion in contact with the peripheral member is an edge, the treatment instrument insertion tube is damaged (for example, it breaks and opens a hole, or the treatment instrument insertion tube is caught). Sometimes.

  However, the techniques described in the above-mentioned documents do not take into consideration the problem that the treatment instrument insertion tube abuts against a peripheral member in the endoscope due to the restoring force of the treatment instrument.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide an endoscope capable of preventing damage to a treatment instrument insertion tube even when a treatment instrument having a strong restoring force against bending is inserted. It is said.

  An endoscope according to one aspect of the present invention includes a long insertion portion that is inserted into a subject, an operation portion that is connected to a proximal end side of the insertion portion, and an insertion portion that faces the subject. A treatment instrument insertion tube provided in the insertion portion from the operation portion and an opening portion are provided on a side surface of the operation portion along a first direction that is an axial direction, and the first portion extends from the opening portion to the first portion. A treatment instrument provided in the operation section that extends toward a second direction that forms an acute angle with the direction of the first and that is bent in the first direction at the folding section and communicates with the treatment instrument insertion tube A pipe line, and an insertion hole in the first direction through which the treatment instrument insertion tube is inserted, arranged in a distal end region on the first direction side than the bent part in the operation unit, The insertion hole has a first inner diameter portion and a second inner diameter portion having an inner diameter smaller than the first inner diameter portion. A portion of the distal end region of the frame member continuously provided through the difference portion and the treatment instrument insertion tube, the portion corresponding to at least a part of the distal end region, and through the treatment instrument introduction conduit. When the treatment instrument is inserted into the treatment instrument insertion tube, the tube deformation portion that deforms in the second direction and the portion of the step portion that contacts the surface of the tube deformation portion that is deformed in the second direction. And a load reducing portion that reduces the load applied to the tube deforming portion when abutting.

  According to the endoscope of the present invention, it is possible to prevent the treatment instrument insertion tube from being damaged even when a treatment instrument having a strong restoring force against bending is inserted.

The figure which shows the external appearance of the endoscope of Embodiment 1 of this invention. Sectional drawing along the insertion axis which shows the structure of the operation part of the endoscope of the said Embodiment 1. FIG. Sectional drawing along the insertion axis which shows the structure of the 1st nozzle | cap | die of the said Embodiment 1. FIG. Sectional drawing along the insertion axis which shows the structure of the base end side of the 1st nozzle | cap | die of the said Embodiment 1. FIG. Sectional drawing along the insertion axis which shows the modification of the structure of the base end side of the 1st nozzle | cap | die of the said Embodiment 1. FIG. The figure which shows a mode when the treatment tool is penetrated to the treatment tool penetration tube in the said Embodiment 1, and it approached the level | step-difference part of the 1st nozzle | cap | die. The figure which shows a mode when the treatment tool penetration tube which penetrated the treatment tool contacts the level | step-difference part of a 1st nozzle | cap | die in the said Embodiment 1. FIG. The figure which shows a mode when the treatment tool penetration tube which penetrated the treatment tool contact | abuts the level | step-difference part of the conventional 1st nozzle | mouth for contrast with the said Embodiment 1. FIG. The figure which shows a structure when the load reduction part of a level | step-difference part is made into a buffer part in Embodiment 2 of this invention. The figure which shows a structure when the load reduction part of a level | step-difference part is used as a coating layer in Embodiment 3 of this invention.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
[Embodiment 1]

  1 to 8 show the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the appearance of the endoscope of the first embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 1, an endoscope 1 includes a long insertion portion 3 to be inserted into a subject, and an operation portion 2 that is connected to the proximal end side of the insertion portion 3 and is held and operated by an operator. And.

  The insertion portion 3 includes, in order from the distal end side, a distal end rigid portion 11, a bendable bending portion 12, and a long and flexible flexible tube portion 13.

  The distal end rigid portion 11 includes, for example, an objective optical system (not shown) and an imaging element (not shown) that photoelectrically converts an optical image of a subject imaged by the objective optical system to generate an electronic image. In addition, a distal end portion of a light guide fiber (not shown) that transmits illumination light emitted from a light source device (not shown) and emits illumination light from the distal end of the endoscope 1 is disposed. In addition, although the structure provided with an imaging element was mentioned here as an example, a structure in which an optical image of a subject imaged by an objective optical system is transmitted by an image guide fiber may be used (in this case, The distal end portion of the image guide fiber is disposed in the distal end rigid portion 11). Further, the distal end rigid portion 11 is provided with a distal end opening (not shown) of the treatment instrument channel 19.

  In the present embodiment, the bending portion 12 can be bent in two directions, ie, one direction and the opposite direction of the one direction. Further, the insertion portion 3 is configured to be rotatable with respect to the operation portion 2 around an insertion axis O <b> 1 that is a central axis of the insertion portion 3. By adopting such a configuration, the bending portion 12 can be bent in a desired direction by rotating the insertion portion 3 by a desired angle and then bending the bending portion 12. However, the bending portion 12 is not limited to a configuration that can be bent in two directions, and may have a configuration that can be bent in four directions.

  The flexible tube portion 13 is configured as an elongated and flexible tubular portion so that the distal end rigid portion 11 reaches a desired position in the subject. In the flexible tube portion 13, an electric signal line (or the above-described image guide fiber) connected to the above-described imaging device and the above-described light guide fiber are disposed, and a treatment instrument channel 19 is described later. A treatment instrument insertion tube 27 (see FIG. 2 and the like) is disposed.

  The distal end portion of the operation portion 2 has, in order from the distal end side toward the proximal end side, a tapered folding portion 14, an insertion portion rotating dial 15 having an annular shape and a knurled surface formed on the peripheral surface, and an index A ring 16 is provided.

  The folding part 14 is for preventing the bending of the insertion part 3 with respect to the operation part 2, and is configured to rotate integrally with the insertion part 3, for example.

  The insertion portion rotating dial 15 is configured to rotate integrally with the insertion portion 3. When the operator rotates the insertion portion rotating dial 15, the insertion portion 3 is rotated with respect to the operation portion 2. It has become. On the other hand, the indicator ring 16 is provided adjacent to the proximal end side of the insertion portion rotating dial 15 and is fixed to the operation portion 2.

  And the knob convex part 15a protrudes in the outer diameter direction from a part in the circumferential direction of the insertion portion rotating dial 15, and the UP curve index 16a protrudes in the outer diameter direction from a predetermined position in the circumferential direction of the index ring 16. Yes.

  Here, when the knob convex portion 15a is aligned with the UP bending index 16a, the bending operation direction of the bending lever 18 described later becomes the neutral position where the bending direction of the bending portion 12 coincides. Therefore, the knob convex portion 15a and the UP curve index 16a are indexes for positioning the insertion portion 3 at the neutral position with respect to the operation portion 2.

  The operation unit 2 includes a gripping part 17 for the operator to grip, a bending lever 18 that can be bent by a hand holding the gripping part 17, such as a thumb, and an opening 19 a of the treatment instrument channel 19. Furthermore, it is provided.

  The bending lever 18 is configured as, for example, a rotary operation type bending operation unit, and performs the bending operation of the bending unit 12 by performing a bending operation by rotation.

  Further, for example, a universal cable 4 extends laterally from the base end of the operation unit 2, and the end of the universal cable 4 is connected to a video processor, a light source device, an air / water supply device, etc. (not shown). It is like that.

  FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the insertion axis O <b> 1 showing the configuration of the operation unit 2 of the endoscope 1.

  The flexible tube portion 13 of the insertion portion 3 includes a serpentine tube 13 a, and the proximal end side of the serpentine tube 13 a extends into the folding portion 14 of the operation unit 2.

  The base end portion of the snake tube 13a is fixed to a first base 21 which is a cylindrical frame member made of, for example, metal. On the outer peripheral side of the first base 21, the above-described insertion portion rotating dial 15 is disposed so as to be integrally rotated with the first base 21.

  On the base end side of the first base 21, for example, a second base 22, which is a cylindrical frame member made of metal, is fixed to the operation unit 2. The index ring 16 described above is disposed on the outer peripheral side of the second base 22.

  The outer diameter side of the base end portion of the first base 21 described above is fitted to the inner diameter side of the distal end portion of the second base 22 so as to be rotatable around the insertion axis O1.

  In addition, an operation unit exterior member 23 that covers the outer surface of the operation unit 2 is disposed on the proximal end side of the index ring 16 of the operation unit 2.

  On the side (the direction of the side surface of the operation unit 2) of the central axis of the gripping unit 17 of the operation unit 2 (this central axis is substantially coaxial with the insertion axis O1), for example, a cylindrical shape made of metal is formed. A treatment tool base 24 which is a frame member is provided. In the treatment tool cap 24, the base end side is an opening 19 a of the treatment tool channel 19, and the internal pipe line is a treatment tool introduction pipe line 19 b constituting a part of the treatment tool channel 19.

  Here, assuming that the direction of the insertion axis O1 facing the subject is the first direction D1, and the treatment instrument insertion direction of the central axis O2 of the conduit of the treatment instrument cap 24 is the second direction D2, the first direction D1. The treatment tool base 24 is disposed so as to form an acute angle with the second direction D2.

  A Y-shaped base 25 made of, for example, metal is connected to the distal end side of the treatment tool base 24, and the treatment tool introduction conduit 19 b is extended into the Y-shaped base 25.

  The Y-shaped base 25 is connected to the treatment instrument insertion tube 27 via a connection base 26 whose tip side is made of, for example, metal. In addition, the Y-shaped base 25 has one of the branches on the base end side connected to the treatment instrument base 24 described above and the other branch on the base end side connected to the air / water supply conduit 29.

  With such a configuration, the treatment instrument introduction conduit 19b is extended from the opening 19a provided on the side surface of the operation unit 2 in the second direction D2 that forms an acute angle with the first direction D1, and the Y-shaped base After being bent in the first direction D1 at the bent portion 19c of the 25 branch portions, it communicates with the tube line 19d in the treatment instrument insertion tube 27.

  As a result, the treatment tool 30 (see FIG. 6 and the like) inserted through the opening 19a is bent at an obtuse angle when passing through the bent portion 19c. An increase in the degree can be suppressed. For this reason, the treatment instrument 30 can be smoothly inserted and removed, and the operation of the treatment instrument 30 (for example, opening / closing operation of a jaw provided at the distal end of the treatment instrument 30) may be hindered. Absent.

  The treatment instrument insertion tube 27 whose proximal end is connected to the connection base 26 of the operation unit 2 is configured as a flexible tube, for example, a blade tube. Here, the blade tube is provided with a tube-shaped strand layer in which strands formed of metal, carbon fiber, etc. are knitted in a lattice shape (or formed in a spiral shape) on the tube-shaped resin layer. It is a thing.

  By using such a blade tube, the thickness of the tube can be reduced and the diameter can be reduced, and as a result, the diameter of the insertion portion 3 of the endoscope 1 can be reduced. However, the treatment instrument insertion tube 27 is not limited to the use of a blade tube, and is formed of a resin (for example, a fluororesin (fluorocarbon resin) such as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)). Tube (for example, PTFE tube) may be used, or a tube formed of other materials may be used.

  The treatment instrument insertion tube 27 is inserted through the space in the second cap 22 and the first cap 21 along the first direction D1, and then to the distal end rigid portion 11 of the insertion portion 3 through the serpentine tube 13a. It is installed inside.

  The region A2 from the opening 19a to the bent portion 19c along the treatment instrument channel 19 is disposed when the treatment instrument 30 is inserted because the second direction D2 coincides with the insertion direction of the treatment instrument 30. 30 is a region where the restoring force for returning to a straight line hardly acts (or can be ignored even if some force acts). Furthermore, since the treatment tool base 24, the Y-shaped base 25 and the like constituting the conduit of the treatment tool channel 19 in the region A2 are formed of metal, for example, as described above, the restoring force of the treatment tool 30 is obtained. Therefore, even if the treatment tool 30 passes, it will not be damaged.

  On the other hand, the region A1 from the bent portion 19c along the treatment instrument channel 19 to the tip of the first base 21 (or the middle of the folding portion 14) (first than the bent portion 19c in the operation portion 2). The distal end region on the direction D1 side) is a region in which the treatment tool 30 bent at the bent portion 19c moves in the second direction D2 in an attempt to return to a linear shape.

  Accordingly, the treatment instrument insertion tube 27 is a portion corresponding to at least a part of the region A1 (tip region), and the treatment instrument 30 is inserted into the treatment instrument insertion tube 27 from the opening 19a via the treatment instrument introduction conduit 19b. The portion that is deformed in the second direction D2 when the is inserted is a tube deforming portion 27a (see also FIG. 6, FIG. 7, etc.).

  Moreover, the 1st nozzle | cap | die 21 which is a frame member is also arrange | positioned in this area | region A1 (front-end | tip part area | region). Therefore, when the flexible tube deforming portion 27a is deformed in the second direction D2, it may come into contact with the first base 21. In particular, when the treatment tool 30 is a treatment tool having a strong restoring force against bending, a load applied to the tube deforming portion 27a is increased when the treatment tool 30 comes into contact with the first base 21.

  An example of a configuration for reducing this load will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view along the insertion axis O1 showing the configuration of the first base 21, and FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view along the insertion axis O1 showing the configuration of the base end side of the first base 21.

  The first base 21 has a cylindrical shape as described above, and has an insertion hole 21k in the first direction D1 through which the treatment instrument insertion tube 27 is inserted.

  The insertion hole 21k has an inner diameter r1 of the opening 21a on the proximal end side, and an inner diameter portion 21b of the inner diameter r2 and an inner diameter portion 21c of the inner diameter r3 from the opening 21a toward the first direction D1. It is connected through the step part. Here, the inner diameters have a relationship of r1> r2> r3.

  The step portion between the opening 21a and the inner diameter portion 21b is configured as a tapered portion 21d whose inner diameter decreases in the first direction D1, and the step portion between the inner diameter portion 21b and the inner diameter portion 21c is The taper portion 21g is configured such that the inner diameter decreases in the first direction D1.

  At this time, in the step portion between the opening 21a and the inner diameter portion 21b, the corner portion between the taper portion 21d and the inner diameter portion 21b is a portion where the surface of the tube deformation portion 27a deformed in the second direction D2 contacts. It has become. Therefore, the corner portion is configured as a chamfered portion 21e and serves as a load reducing portion that softens the load applied to the tube deforming portion 27a when abutting (the chamfered portion is an example of the load reducing portion). As will be described later, there is another example of the load reducing unit).

  More specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, the chamfered portion 21e has a cross-section along the insertion axis O1 that has a convex arc shape toward the insertion axis O1, and is smoothly connected to the inner diameter portion 21b at one end of the arc shape. The other end of the circular arc shape is configured as a chamfered portion that is smoothly connected to the tapered portion 21d.

  In addition, in the structure shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, since the corner | angular part 21i between the opening 21a and the taper part 21d is a part which the surface of the tube deformation | transformation part 27a deform | transformed in the 2nd direction D2 does not contact | abut. Is not configured as a chamfered portion, but if it is a contact portion, it is similarly configured as a chamfered portion.

  Similarly, at the step portion between the inner diameter portion 21b and the inner diameter portion 21c, the corner portion between the taper portion 21g and the inner diameter portion 21c abuts the surface of the tube deformation portion 27a deformed in the second direction D2. It has become a part. Therefore, this corner portion is configured as a chamfered portion 21h, and serves as a load reducing portion that reduces the load applied to the tube deforming portion 27a when abutting.

  The chamfered portion 21h has a cross section along the insertion axis O1 having a convex arc shape toward the insertion axis O1, smoothly connected to the inner diameter portion 21c at one end of the arc shape, and tapered at the other end of the arc shape. It is comprised as a chamfering part smoothly connected to the part 21g.

  Further, the corner between the inner diameter portion 21b and the tapered portion 21g is concave toward the insertion axis O1, and is a portion where the surface of the tube deformation portion 27a deformed in the second direction D2 does not come into contact. Therefore, it is not configured as a chamfer.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the inner diameter r3 of the inner diameter portion 21c of the first base 21 is configured to satisfy the relationship of r3 ≦ r4 as compared with the inner diameter r4 of the serpentine tube 13a connected to the distal end side thereof. Yes. This is to prevent the treatment instrument insertion tube 27 from being caught on the proximal end side of the serpentine tube 13a at the connection portion between the first base 21 and the serpentine tube 13a. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the treatment instrument insertion tube 27 from being damaged by the proximal end edge of the serpentine tube 13a.

  FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view along the insertion axis O <b> 1 showing a modification of the configuration of the base end side of the first base 21.

  In the example shown in FIG. 4 described above, the opening 21a and the inner diameter portion 21b are connected via the tapered portion 21d, and the chamfered portion 21e is provided at the corner between the tapered portion 21d and the inner diameter portion 21b. On the other hand, in the modification shown in FIG. 5, the base end surface of the first base 21 provided with the opening 21a and the inner diameter portion 21b are smoothly connected using only the chamfered portion 21e ′ having an arc shape. Thus, the tapered portion 21d is omitted.

  Also with the configuration as shown in FIG. 5, the chamfered portion 21e 'can function as a load reducing portion that reduces the load applied to the tube deforming portion 27a when contacting.

  Since the insertion portion 3 can rotate around the insertion axis O1 with respect to the operation portion 2 as described above, the chamfered portions 21e and 21h as load reducing portions are provided around the insertion axis O1 of the stepped portion. For example, it is provided in an angle range of 360 degrees.

  However, when the insertion unit 3 is rotatable with respect to the operation unit 2 around the insertion axis O1 within a predetermined angle range of less than 360 degrees, the load reducing unit is set at a predetermined angle at which the insertion unit 3 can rotate. It suffices to include all the angular ranges around the insertion axis O1 of the stepped portion that contacts the surface of the tube deforming portion 27a deformed in the second direction D2 corresponding to the range (that is, an angular range of 360 degrees). Need not be provided).

  Next, with reference to FIGS. 6-8, the function of a load reduction part when inserting the treatment tool 30 in the treatment tool channel 19 is demonstrated. FIG. 6 is a view showing a state when the treatment instrument 30 is inserted into the treatment instrument insertion tube 27 and brought close to the stepped portion of the first base 21, and FIG. 7 is a treatment instrument insertion through which the treatment instrument 30 is inserted. The figure which shows a mode when the tube 27 contact | abuts to the level | step-difference part of the 1st nozzle | cap | die 21, FIG. 8 is the treatment tool insertion tube 27 which penetrated the treatment tool 30 for description contrast with this embodiment. It is a figure which shows a mode when it contact | abuts to the level | step-difference part of a nozzle | cap | die 21. FIG.

  Some treatment tools 30 have a restoring force that attempts to return to a straight line when bent. When such a treatment tool 30 is inserted into the treatment tool channel 19 from the opening 19a, as described above, the treatment tool 30 bent at the bent portion 19c tries to return to a straight line in the second direction D2. Moving.

  As shown in FIG. 2, since the first base 21 is disposed in the region A <b> 1 (tip region) where the restoring force of the treatment tool 30 acts, the treatment tool 30 is placed on the step portion of the first base 21. When approaching, it moves in the second direction D2, and as a result, the treatment instrument insertion tube 27 into which the treatment instrument 30 is inserted is pressed, and as shown in FIG. 6, the treatment instrument insertion tube 27 is also in the second direction. Move to D2.

  When the treatment instrument 30 is further inserted in this state, as shown in FIG. 7, the treatment instrument insertion tube 27 comes into contact with, for example, the chamfered portion 21 h in the step portion of the first base 21.

  In the conventional configuration shown in FIG. 8, the portion where the treatment instrument insertion tube 27 abuts on the stepped portion of the first base 21 is the edge portion 21x. Therefore, in this conventional configuration, the treatment instrument insertion tube 27 is damaged. (For example, it breaks and a hole is opened, or the treatment instrument insertion tube is caught).

  On the other hand, in the configuration of the present embodiment, the treatment instrument insertion tube 27 abuts against the step portion of the first base 21 via the chamfer 21h (or chamfer 21e). The load applied to the deformable portion 27a can be reduced, and the treatment instrument insertion tube 27 can be prevented from being damaged.

  And the deformation | transformation of the treatment tool penetration tube 27 by the treatment tool 30 may be performed not only by the front-end | tip part of the treatment tool 30, but also by the shaft of the treatment tool 30. According to the configuration using the chamfered portions 21e and 21h as the load reducing portion described above, even when the treatment instrument insertion tube 27 is deformed by the shaft of the treatment instrument 30, the effect of preventing the treatment instrument insertion tube 27 from being damaged is obtained. Can be maintained.

  In addition, although the example which provided the load reduction part in the 1st nozzle | cap | die 21 as a frame member was demonstrated above, for example, you may provide a load reduction part with respect to the 2nd nozzle | cap | die 22 as a frame member, You may provide a load reduction part with respect to the other member arrange | positioned by.

  According to the first embodiment, since the load reducing portion is provided at the portion where the surface of the tube deforming portion 27a deformed in the second direction D2 is in contact with the step portion of the first base 21 that is the frame member, When the tube deforming portion 27a comes into contact with the load reducing portion, the load applied to the tube deforming portion 27a can be reduced, and even when the treatment instrument 30 having a strong restoring force against bending is inserted, the treatment instrument insertion tube 27 is damaged. Can be prevented.

  Further, since the load reducing portion is configured as the arc-shaped chamfered portions 21e and 21h, there is basically no occurrence of catching as in the case of the conventional edge portion 21x, and the configuration of the first base 21 is complicated. Therefore, a high effect can be obtained with a simple configuration. Moreover, there is an advantage that the manufacturing cost of the first base 21 hardly increases.

  Furthermore, the load reducing portion is provided so as to include all the angular ranges around the insertion axis O1 of the stepped portion that the surface of the tube deforming portion 27a abuts, corresponding to a predetermined angular range in which the insertion portion 3 can rotate. The treatment instrument insertion tube 27 can be prevented from being damaged regardless of the rotation position of the insertion portion 3.

  On the other hand, when the load reducing portion is provided in an angular range of 360 degrees around the insertion axis O1 of the step portion, the treatment instrument insertion tube 27 is prevented from being damaged regardless of the rotational position of the insertion portion 3. In addition, since it is not necessary to adjust the mounting position of the first base 21 in the rotational direction, the assembly can be simplified.

  When the treatment instrument insertion tube 27 is configured as a blade tube, it is possible to reduce the diameter while maintaining the strength of the treatment instrument insertion tube 27, and thus to reduce the diameter of the insertion portion 3 of the endoscope 1. Can contribute.

Moreover, when the 1st nozzle | cap | die 21 which is a frame member is formed with the metal, not only can the damage of the treatment instrument insertion tube 27 by a metal edge be prevented effectively by a load reduction part, but the 1st nozzle | cap | die can be prevented. The durability of 21 can be increased.
[Embodiment 2]

  FIG. 9 shows a second embodiment of the present invention and is a diagram showing a configuration when the load reducing portion of the step portion is the buffer portion 31.

  In the second embodiment, the same parts as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof is omitted as appropriate, and only different points will be mainly described.

  In the present embodiment, the load reducing unit is configured to include the buffer unit 31 provided in the stepped part.

  That is, in the step portion between the inner diameter portion 21b and the inner diameter portion 21c, the corner portion between the tapered portion 21g and the inner diameter portion 21c (the portion where the chamfered portion 21h is provided in the first embodiment described above), For example, a buffer portion 31 made of an elastic member such as an O-ring is provided. Similarly, although not illustrated, the same buffer part 31 is provided also in the part in which the chamfered part 21e was provided in Embodiment 1 mentioned above.

  Since the buffer portion 31 is configured not as a metal but as an elastic member or the like, even if it is an edge shape, the effect of preventing the treatment instrument insertion tube 27 from being damaged can be obtained. In order to enhance, it is formed in a shape that also serves as an arc-shaped chamfer.

  Of course, if it is sufficient to provide the buffer 31 within a predetermined angle range of less than 360 degrees around the insertion axis O1, it is of course possible to use a C-ring instead of an O-ring. Moreover, it is not restricted to using an elastic member as the buffer part 31, For example, you may use impact-absorbing materials, such as a gel, and the raw material which has another buffer function can be used suitably.

  According to the second embodiment, even when the buffer unit 31 is used as the load reducing unit, the load applied to the tube deforming unit 27a is relieved in the same manner as in the first embodiment described above. Damage can be prevented.

Further, by forming the buffer portion 31 in a shape that also serves as a chamfered portion, it is possible to prevent damage to the treatment instrument insertion tube 27 with a higher effect.
[Embodiment 3]

  FIG. 10 shows the third embodiment of the present invention, and is a diagram showing a configuration when the load reducing portion of the step portion is the coating layer 32.

  In the third embodiment, the same parts as those in the first and second embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof is omitted as appropriate, and only different points will be mainly described.

  In the present embodiment, the load reducing unit is configured to include a coating layer 32 that reduces frictional resistance.

  That is, in the step portion between the inner diameter portion 21b and the inner diameter portion 21c, the corner portion between the tapered portion 21g and the inner diameter portion 21c (the portion where the chamfered portion 21h is provided in the first embodiment described above), A coating layer 32 such as Teflon (registered trademark) is provided to reduce the frictional resistance when coming into contact with the treatment instrument insertion tube 27. Similarly, although not shown, the same coating layer 32 is also provided in the portion where the chamfered portion 21e is provided in the first embodiment.

  Even if the coating layer 32 is provided on the edge-shaped portion, the effect of preventing the treatment instrument insertion tube 27 from being damaged can be obtained, but here, in order to further enhance the effect, the arc-shaped chamfered portion 21h. It is the structure provided on the top.

  Note that the coating layer 32 may be provided in a predetermined angle range of less than 360 degrees around the insertion axis O1 as in the above-described embodiments. However, since it is technically difficult to provide the coating layer 32 only in a limited place of relatively small parts, the coating layer 32 may be provided on the entire inner surface of the insertion hole 21k of the first base 21. Of course, the coating layer 32 is not limited to Teflon (registered trademark), and an appropriate low friction coating may be used.

  According to the third embodiment, by using the coating layer 32 as the load reducing portion, the load applied to the tube deforming portion 27a is relieved in the same manner as in the first and second embodiments described above, and the treatment instrument insertion tube is provided. 27 damage can be prevented.

  Further, by providing the coating layer 32 on the chamfered portions 21e and 21h, it is possible to prevent the treatment instrument insertion tube 27 from being damaged with a higher effect.

  Thus, each structure, such as a chamfered part, a buffer part, and a coating layer, constituting the load reducing part is not limited to adopting only one, and two or more may be appropriately combined.

  Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment as it is, and can be embodied by modifying the constituent elements without departing from the scope of the invention in the implementation stage. In addition, various aspects of the invention can be formed by appropriately combining a plurality of components disclosed in the embodiment. For example, some components may be deleted from all the components shown in the embodiment. Furthermore, constituent elements over different embodiments may be appropriately combined. Thus, it goes without saying that various modifications and applications are possible without departing from the spirit of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Endoscope 2 ... Operation part 3 ... Insertion part 4 ... Universal cable 11 ... Hard tip part 12 ... Bending part 13 ... Flexible pipe part 13a ... Serpentine pipe 14 ... Clamping part 15 ... Insertion part rotation dial 15a ... Knob convexity Part 16 ... Indicator ring 16a ... UP bending index 17 ... Holding part 18 ... Curving lever 19 ... Treatment instrument channel 19a ... Opening part 19b ... Treatment instrument introduction conduit 19c ... Bending part 19d ... Tube conduit 21 ... First cap 21a ... Openings 21b, 21c ... Inner diameter parts 21d, 21g ... Tapered parts 21e, 21e ', 21h ... Chamfered parts 21i ... Square parts 21k ... Insertion holes 21x ... Edge parts 22 ... Second base 23 ... Operating part exterior member 24 ... Treatment Tool base 25 ... Y-shaped base 26 ... Connection base 27 ... Treatment tool insertion tube 27a ... Tube deformation part 29 ... Air supply / water supply conduit 30 ... Treatment tool 31 ... Buffer part 32 ... Ing layer A1 ... region (tip region)
A2 ... region D1 ... first direction D2 ... second direction O1 ... insertion axis O2 ... center axis

Claims (8)

A long insertion part to be inserted into the subject;
An operation unit continuously provided on the proximal end side of the insertion unit;
A treatment instrument insertion tube provided in the insertion portion from the operation portion along a first direction that is an insertion axis direction of the insertion portion toward the subject;
After an opening is provided on a side surface of the operation portion, extended from the opening toward a second direction that forms an acute angle with the first direction, and is bent in the first direction at a bent portion A treatment instrument introduction conduit provided in the operation section, communicating with the treatment instrument insertion tube;
The operation portion has an insertion hole in the first direction that is disposed in a distal end region of the first direction side than the bent portion, and through which the treatment instrument insertion tube is inserted, and the insertion hole A frame member in which a first inner diameter portion and a second inner diameter portion having an inner diameter smaller than the first inner diameter portion are connected via a step portion;
When the treatment instrument is inserted into the treatment instrument insertion tube from the opening via the treatment instrument introduction tube, the treatment instrument insertion tube is a portion corresponding to at least a part of the distal end region. A tube deforming portion that deforms in the second direction;
A load reducing portion that is provided at a portion where the surface of the tube deforming portion deformed in the second direction contacts in the stepped portion, and reduces the load applied to the tube deforming portion when contacting;
An endoscope comprising:   The load reducing portion is a chamfered portion in which a cross section along the insertion axis forms a convex arc shape toward the insertion axis, and is smoothly connected to the second inner diameter portion at one end of the arc shape. The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the endoscope is configured.   The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the load reducing unit includes a buffer unit provided in the stepped portion.   The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the load reducing unit includes a coating layer that reduces a frictional resistance when contacting the treatment instrument insertion tube. The insertion portion is rotatable in a predetermined angle range around the insertion axis with respect to the operation portion,
The load reducing portion corresponds to the predetermined angle range in which the insertion portion can rotate, and all of the step portions around the insertion axis of the stepped portion that contacts the surface of the tube deformation portion deformed in the second direction. The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the endoscope is provided so as to include an angle range. The insertion part is rotatable around the insertion axis with respect to the operation part,
The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the load reducing portion is provided in an angle range of 360 degrees around the insertion axis of the stepped portion.   The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the treatment instrument insertion tube is configured as a blade tube.   The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the frame member is made of metal.

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