JP3567600B2 - Endoscope treatment instrument insertion channel - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a treatment instrument insertion channel provided in an endoscope used for medical use and the like, for inserting a treatment instrument such as forceps, and in particular, a treatment instrument in which a treatment instrument insertion tube is provided in a distal end main body of an insertion portion. It relates to a connection mechanism to a passage.
[0002]
[Prior art]
As shown in FIG. 7, the endoscope is generally provided with an insertion section 2 inserted into a body cavity or the like in a main body operation section 1 and a universal cord 3 detachably connected to a light source device or the like. Is roughly constructed by pulling out from the main body operation unit 1. The insertion portion 2 is composed of a flexible portion 2a that bends freely along the insertion path from the portion connected to the main body operation portion 1, and has an angle portion 2b and an angle portion 2b. A distal end body 2c is connected to the portion 2b.
[0003]
As shown in FIG. 8, the distal end body 2 c is provided with an illumination window 4 and an observation window 5, and observes the inside of a body cavity or the like via the observation window 5 under illumination from the illumination window 4. be able to. The angle portion 2b is for turning the tip main body 2c in a desired direction. Therefore, the angle portion 2 b can be bent in a desired direction, and the bending operation is performed by the angle knob 6 provided in the main body operation portion 1. In order to further increase the range of the direction control of the tip end body 2c, as shown by the imaginary line in FIG. 8, the angle portion 2b is at least 180 ° in at least one direction (upward in FIG. 8). Some are configured to bend more.
[0004]
The insertion section 2 is provided with a treatment tool insertion channel 7 through which forceps and other treatment tools are inserted. The treatment instrument insertion channel 7 is a passage from the treatment introduction section 8 provided in the main body operation section 1 to a portion opened in the distal end main body 2c. The distal end main body 2c is formed of a hard member such as a metal. As shown in FIG. 9, the distal end main body 2c is formed with a through-hole penetrating in the axial direction of the insertion section 2, and this is, for example, a forceps. It becomes a treatment tool passage 9 for leading out a treatment tool such as F. On the other hand, the angle portion 2b is bent by a bending operation, and the flexible portion 2a is also configured to bend freely. In the angle portion 2b and the flexible portion 2a, the treatment instrument insertion channel 7 is hollow flexible. The treatment tool insertion tube 10 is a tube.
[0005]
The treatment tool insertion tube 10 is required to be flexible at first, and since the treatment tool is inserted therein, at least the inner surface portion has good slippage in order to smoothly insert the treatment instrument. Must be. In addition, when the angle portion 2b is curved, it is necessary to have high strength so as not to cause buckling called so-called kink. In order to satisfy these requirements, the treatment instrument tube 10 is generally formed of a synthetic resin, particularly a fluororesin.
[0006]
A base 11 is used to connect the treatment instrument insertion tube 10 to the treatment instrument passage 9 in the distal end main body 2c. The base 11 is made of, for example, a metal pipe, one side of which is inserted into a large-diameter portion 9 a provided in the treatment instrument passage 9 and fixed by means such as bonding or brazing. The distal end of the treatment instrument insertion tube 10 is made to protrude from the treatment instrument passage 9 toward the angle portion 2b by a predetermined length, and the distal end of the treatment instrument insertion tube 10 is fitted to the projecting portion, and is fixed using an adhesive or the like.
[0007]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
As described above, the treatment instrument insertion channel 7 connects the treatment instrument insertion tube 10 to the treatment instrument passage 9 using the base 11. The distal end main body 2 c provided with the treatment instrument passage 9 has high strength. Therefore, for example, the base 11 is required to have strength because it is formed of a metal such as stainless steel. The base 11 is formed of a metal such as stainless steel, and both are formed of the same material. It can be firmly fixed by using an agent. However, since the treatment instrument insertion tube 10 is formed of a slippery synthetic resin such as a fluororesin, even if the treatment instrument insertion tube 10 is fixed to the base 11 made of a metal pipe with an adhesive, sufficient adhesion can be achieved therebetween. The force cannot be exerted, and when a force in the pulling direction acts on the treatment instrument insertion tube 10, the treatment instrument insertion tube 10 may deviate.
[0008]
In order to stabilize the fitting state of the treatment instrument insertion tube 10 to the base 11, it is necessary to prevent the treatment instrument insertion tube 10 from deviating, such as by increasing the fitting length therebetween. Since the base 11 is a hard pipe, a portion up to the end of the base 11 is a hard part. That is, although the angle portion 2b has a bendable ring structure by sequentially pivoting a plurality of angle rings 12, the most advanced angle ring 12a is connected to the tip body 2c. It is fixed to the main body 2c. Therefore, if the hard part of the insertion portion 2 extends from the distal end body 2c to the end of the angled ring 12a at the tip, if the base 11 is elongated, the angled ring 12a at the tip must also be elongated. The hard portion at the tip of the insertion section 2 as a whole becomes longer. When the hard part is long, it is difficult to pass through a sharply bent part of the insertion path into the body cavity, and there is a problem that the pain of the patient increases.
[0009]
The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and a purpose thereof is to provide a simple configuration of the treatment instrument insertion tube without increasing the fitting length of the treatment instrument insertion tube to the base. Is to be able to be firmly fixed to the base.
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention relates to an annular shape in which a fixing ring is fitted and fixed to a base, and a distal end portion of a treatment instrument insertion tube is inserted between the fixing ring and the base. The connection gap is formed, and the fixing ring is configured such that a locking elastic piece that is inclined in a direction protruding into the connection gap toward the front in the insertion direction of the treatment instrument insertion tube is continuously provided. It is a feature.
[0011]
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Since there is no particular difference in the overall configuration of the endoscope from that shown in FIG. 7, the same or equivalent members are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof will be omitted.
[0012]
As shown in FIG. 1, the treatment instrument insertion channel 20 has a treatment instrument passage 21 provided in the distal end main body 2 c of the insertion section 2 and a treatment provided between the treatment instrument passage 21 and the treatment instrument introduction section 8. The treatment tool insertion tube 22 is made of a synthetic resin such as a fluororesin which has good slippage and has no significant difference from the above-described conventional technology. . A large diameter portion 21a is formed in the treatment tool passage 21, and a base 23 is fitted and fixed to the large diameter portion 21a, and the distal end of the treatment tool insertion tube 22 is fitted to the base 23. In this respect, there is no particular difference from the prior art. Note that the treatment tool insertion channel 20 is bent by 90 ° to a predetermined angle in the distal end portion main body 2c as well as in a direct-viewing type endoscope that opens to the distal end surface of the insertion section 2 together with the illumination window and the observation window. Therefore, even in a side-view or perspective endoscope that opens on the side surface or the like of the distal end main body, a portion of the treatment instrument insertion channel that extends from the distal end main body toward the angle portion is directed in the axial direction of the insertion portion. Therefore, it is a matter of course that the treatment instrument insertion channel in these side-view and oblique-type endoscopes can be configured.
[0013]
The base 23 can be easily fixed to the treatment instrument passage 21 using an adhesive, and can be firmly fixed. However, if the treatment instrument insertion tube 22 is fixed to the base 23 using an adhesive, it cannot be fixed firmly. Therefore, instead of using an adhesive, it was configured to be fixed as follows.
[0014]
A thin fixing ring 24 made of an elastic metal material is used. As is clear from FIGS. 2 and 3, the fixing ring 24 is provided with a substantially U-shaped notch at a plurality of positions (three positions at 120 ° in the drawing) on its circumferential body. The locking elastic piece 25 is formed by bending the portion inward at a predetermined angle. An engaging tooth 25a is provided by forming an uneven portion at the tip of the elastic piece 25 for engaging.
[0015]
On the other hand, the base 23 does not have a uniform thickness, and a portion of a predetermined length protruding from the treatment tool passage 21 toward the angle portion 2b side from a portion to be inserted into the treatment tool passage 21 is a thick portion. 23a, a portion connected to the thick portion 23a has a step formed on the outer peripheral side, and a thin portion 23b having a predetermined length is formed. The step between the thick portion 23a and the thin portion 23b has substantially the same thickness as the thickness of the treatment instrument insertion tube 22 or slightly smaller than the thickness of the treatment instrument insertion tube 22.
[0016]
The base 23 is partially inserted into the treatment instrument passage 21 at a part of the thick portion 23a, and is fixed using an adhesive. A fixing ring 24 is fitted to a portion of the thick portion 23a of the base 23 that protrudes from the treatment instrument passage 21 toward the angle portion 2b, and is fixed using an adhesive. Here, the fixing ring 24 is fitted with the distal end side of the elastic elastic piece 25 provided on the fixing ring 24 on which the locking teeth 25 a are formed facing forward in the fitting direction of the base 23. The distal end body 2c provided with the treatment instrument passage 21, the base 23, and the fixing ring 24 are made of a metal material. Therefore, these can be firmly fixed using an adhesive. Note that the tip end body 2c is not necessarily formed of metal, but may be formed of hard resin. In this case, the base 23 and the fixing ring 24 are made of a material that is firmly fixed to the distal end body 2c with an adhesive. Of course, the base 23 must have a predetermined strength, and the fixing ring 24 must have the necessary elasticity. In short, depending on the material of the base 23 and the fixing ring 24 and the selection of the type of the adhesive, it is difficult to firmly fix the base 23 to the treatment instrument passage 21 and to firmly fix the fixing ring 24 to the base 23. It is possible.
[0017]
When the base 23 and the fixing ring 24 are attached to the treatment instrument passage 21 in the distal end portion main body 2c, an annular connection gap 26 is formed between the outer surface of the thin portion 23b of the base 23 and the inner surface of the fixing ring 24. become. Here, the length of the base 23 and the fixing ring 24 to the angle portion 2b side is preferably as short as possible because these members are hard members. However, it is necessary that the locking elastic piece 25 of the fixing ring 24 be positioned above the thin portion 23 b of the base 23. In addition, the relative position relationship between the base 23 and the distal end of the fixing ring 24 may be at the same position, or the base 23 may be in a protruding state. When protruded, the penetration of the treatment tool is improved as described later.
[0018]
The treatment instrument insertion tube 22 is connected by inserting its distal end into a connection space 26 formed between the base 23 and the fixing ring 24. The fixing ring 24 has a locking elastic piece 25 protruding into the connection gap 26, but protruding in a state of being inclined obliquely downward toward the insertion direction of the treatment instrument insertion tube 22, and Since the locking elastic piece 25 is formed of an elastic member, as shown in FIG. 4, when the treatment instrument insertion tube 22 is inserted in the direction of the arrow toward the connection gap 26, the locking elastic piece is formed. Since the hook 25 rises in the direction of the arrow, the locking elastic piece 25 does not become a particular obstacle when the treatment instrument insertion tube 22 is inserted.
[0019]
When the treatment tool insertion tube 22 is inserted to a predetermined position of the connection gap 26, preferably to a position where it comes into contact with a step between the thin portion 23b and the thick portion 23a of the base 23, the treatment tool insertion tube is inserted. The tube 22 cannot be moved in the pulling-back direction, whereby the treatment instrument insertion tube 22 is fixedly connected to the base 23. That is, as shown in FIG. 5, when a force in the pull-out direction shown by an arrow is applied to the treatment instrument insertion tube 22, the elastic piece 25 for locking of the fixing ring 24 is inserted into the connection gap 26 as shown by the arrow. 5 so that the locking teeth 25a provided at the distal end of the locking elastic piece 25 bite into the outer surface of the flexible treatment instrument insertion tube 22 at the portion T in FIG. become. Since the fixing ring 24 provided with the locking elastic pieces 25 is firmly fixed to the base 23 with an adhesive, the force in the pull-out direction of the treatment tool insertion tube 22 is transmitted to the fixing ring 24. Also, there is no possibility that the fixing ring 24 will deviate from the base 23. Therefore, the treatment instrument insertion tube 22 is firmly fixed, and there is no possibility that the treatment instrument insertion tube 22 will come off the treatment instrument passage 21.
[0020]
The length of the rigid portion at the distal end of the insertion portion is composed of a distal end main body provided with an illumination window, an observation window, and the like, and a state-of-the-art angle ring connected to the distal end main body. The base 23 for connecting the tube 22 to the distal end main body does not need to secure a bonding area to the treatment instrument insertion tube 22, and the fixing elastic piece 25 for fixing the fixing ring 24 and the fixing ring 24. What is necessary is just to have the length required to form. Therefore, the axial direction of the base 23 and the locking elastic piece 25 can be shortened, so that the length of the leading-edge angle ring can be shortened, and the length of the hard portion at the distal end of the insertion portion can be shortened. The insertion operability is improved, and the pain of the patient can be reduced.
[0021]
Here, since the treatment instrument insertion channel 20 is opened in the body cavity and is also used as a suction passage, the joint between the treatment instrument insertion tube 22 and the base 23 must be maintained in a gas-liquid tight state. No. Therefore, when inserting the treatment instrument insertion tube 22 into the connection gap 26, a sealant or a sealant having an adhesive function is applied to the treatment instrument insertion tube 22 or the base 23 in advance. In particular, when the sealing material having an adhesive function is applied to the inner and outer peripheral surfaces of the treatment tool insertion tube 22 and the distal end surface thereof and inserted into the connection gap 26, the treatment tool insertion tube 22 is connected to both the base 23 and the fixing member. Since the elastic piece 25 is also bonded to the ring 24, the function of the elastic piece 25 for locking and the fixing strength to the base 23 are remarkably improved. In addition, as shown by reference numeral S in FIG. 5, the sealing material can be sealed between the distal end surface of the treatment instrument insertion tube 22 and the stepped portion of the base 23 and the inner surface of the fixing ring 24, so that the sealing function is improved. Significantly improved.
[0022]
Furthermore, since the length of contact of the treatment tool insertion tube 22 with the fixing ring 24 is longer than the length of contact with the base 23, the treatment tool insertion tube 22 can be inserted when the angle portion 2b is bent. When the tube 22 bends, it does not bend from the base 23 on the inner surface side, but from the end of the fixing ring 24 fitted on the outer surface. Therefore, the edge portion of the tip of the base 23 protrudes from the inner surface of the treatment instrument insertion tube 22, and when the treatment instrument is inserted, there is no risk of being caught on this edge portion. The treatment instrument can be smoothly inserted.
[0023]
Note that the locking elastic pieces provided on the fixing ring are formed in a substantially U-shape, and the locking elastic pieces are provided at three places. For example, as shown in FIG. It is needless to say that a fixing ring 31 provided with a plurality of shaped elastic pieces 30 can be used, and the number thereof is not limited to three. Further, for example, when the fixing ring is formed of a member having no elasticity, an opening is provided in a peripheral body portion thereof, and a locking elastic piece made of an elastic member is fixedly provided near the opening. You can also
[0024]
【The invention's effect】
Since the present invention is configured as described above, the treatment instrument insertion tube is inserted into the connection space between the base and the fixing ring by a very simple operation of inserting the treatment instrument insertion tube into the treatment instrument passage. It can be securely fixed in the communicating state, and the length of the hard part on the tip side consisting of the base can be shortened, so that the hard part at the tip part of the insertion part can be shortened as a whole, and the insertion operation into the body cavity etc. This has the effect of improving patient performance and reducing patient pain.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing one embodiment of the present invention and showing a configuration of a connection portion of a treatment tool insertion tube to a mouthpiece attached to a treatment tool passage of a treatment tool insertion tube in a treatment tool insertion channel of an endoscope. is there.
FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of a fixing ring.
FIG. 3 is a right side view of FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is an operation explanatory view showing a state of being inserted between the base of the treatment instrument insertion tube and the fixing ring.
FIG. 5 is an operation explanatory diagram when a force in a pulling direction is applied to the treatment instrument insertion tube.
FIG. 6 is a front view showing a modification of the fixing ring.
FIG. 7 is an external view showing a general configuration of an endoscope.
FIG. 8 is an external view showing a distal end portion of an insertion portion.
FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration of a connecting portion of a conventional treatment tool insertion channel to a base mounted on a treatment tool passage of a treatment tool insertion tube in a treatment tool insertion channel.
[Explanation of symbols]
2 Insertion part 2a Tip body 20 Treatment tool insertion channel 21 Treatment tool passage 22 Treatment tool insertion tube 23 Base 23a Thick portion 23b Thin portion 24, 31 Fixing ring 25, 30 Locking elastic piece 25a Locking tooth 26 Connection Space

Claims (3)

An insertion section having a distal end main body made of a hard member is connected to the main body operation section, a treatment instrument passage is formed in the distal end main body, and a treatment instrument insertion tube is connected to the treatment instrument passage via a mouthpiece. In the above configuration, an annular connection gap into which a fixing ring is fitted and fixed to the base, and a distal end portion of the treatment instrument insertion tube is inserted between the fixing ring and the base. The fixing ring is provided with a configuration in which a locking elastic piece that is inclined in a direction protruding into the connection gap toward the front in the insertion direction of the treatment instrument insertion tube is connected to the fixing ring. Endoscope treatment instrument insertion channel. The said elastic piece for locking is provided with one or some notch in the site | part facing the said base | die in the said ring for fixation, and this cut-in part is bent inward, The characterized by the above-mentioned. Endoscope treatment tool insertion channel. 2. The treatment tool insertion channel of an endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the fixing ring has a length that covers the treatment tool insertion tube longer than the base.

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