JPH0641701U - Endoscope - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Abstract] [Purpose] An inexpensive treatment instrument insertion device that has sufficient flexibility that does not hinder the bending operation of a bending pipe or a flexible pipe, has good insertability of the treatment instrument, and is not buckled or damaged. The purpose of the invention is to provide an endoscope having a common channel. [Structure] An insertion portion in which a flexible tube is connected to a proximal end of a bending tube that performs a bending operation, and an operation portion provided on the proximal side of the insertion portion are provided, and are formed of the same material over the entire length. An endoscope in which a treatment instrument insertion channel 8 in which a protective coil body 34 is wound around at least the outer periphery of a portion of the flexible tube located in the bending tube is provided over the entire length of the operation section from the operation section. In the above, in the flexible tube forming the treatment instrument insertion channel 8, the wall thickness of the tube portion 36b located from the flexible tube to the operation portion is smaller than the wall thickness of the tube portion 36a located in the bending tube. Is also formed thick.

Description

[Detailed description of the device]

[0001]

[Industrial applications]

 The present invention relates to an endoscope having a channel for inserting a treatment tool having a protective coil body on the outer circumference of a flexible tube.

[0002]

[Prior art]

 Conventionally, for example, when a treatment instrument is introduced endoscopically into the body, the treatment instrument is inserted into a channel for inserting the treatment instrument of the endoscope and guided into the body through the channel for inserting the treatment instrument. I am putting it in.

Further, the endoscope having a treatment instrument insertion channel is composed of an operation section and an insertion section, and the treatment instrument insertion channel is arranged from the operation section of the endoscope to the entire length of the insertion section. It is set up.

In general, endoscopes are roughly classified into a rigid endoscope having a hard insertion portion and a flexible endoscope having a soft insertion portion, and particularly, the flexible endoscope has a bending operation. Some endoscopes have an insertion portion formed by connecting a long flexible tube to the proximal end of the bending tube. In the case of such an endoscope, the treatment instrument insertion channel is provided in the insertion portion of the endoscope. In particular, the flexible tube is formed of a highly flexible tube of polytetrafluoroethylene or the like over its entire length so that it can be bent along with a vigorous bending operation of the bending tube, which ensures sufficient flexibility of the treatment instrument insertion channel. ing.

However, when the treatment instrument insertion channel is formed over the entire length by a tube having high flexibility, such as polytetrafluoroethylene, when the long flexible tube is bent, the treatment instrument insertion channel is inserted. Along with the insertion of the treatment instrument into the communication channel, the tube of the treatment instrument insertion channel (hereinafter referred to as the channel tube) is dragged by the friction with the treatment instrument and is sent out forward, whereby the channel tube at the distal end side. The meandering causes the insertion of the treatment instrument into the channel tube to deteriorate, and also presses and damages other internal components such as the optical system member and the air / water supply tube that are arranged with the channel tube in the insertion part. There was a problem. In addition, when the hand was removed from the treatment instrument, the treatment instrument returned to the hand side together with the channel tube meandering on the distal end side, and the treatment instrument could not be inserted.

Therefore, in Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 1-30161, a relatively short tube portion of the channel tube located in the curved tube is formed of polytetrafluoroethylene having high flexibility, and The long tube part located in the operation part is made of polytetrafluoroethylene, which has low flexibility, to solve the above problems associated with the insertion of the treatment instrument into the treatment instrument insertion channel. .

Further, in Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 59-40002, a spiral groove is provided on the outer periphery of the channel tube to reduce the wall thickness of the channel tube to enhance its flexibility. By winding the reinforcing coil along the groove, radial deformation of the channel tube due to bending of the bending tube or bending of the flexible tube is suppressed to prevent the channel tube from bending or buckling.

[0008]

[Problems to be solved by the device]

 However, in Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 1-30161, the channel tube has a low flexibility because of the twisting or bending of the treatment instrument insertion channel that occurs when the bending tube is bent or the flexible tube is bent or twisted. Since it cannot be absorbed in the flexible tube portion, the flexible tube portion of the channel tube, which is highly flexible, is burdened, and this portion may be twisted and crushed. Further, in this case, the highly flexible inside portion of the bending tube of the channel tube is crushed and flattened by the repeated bending of the bending tube, which deteriorates the insertability of the treatment instrument, and other parts such as the wire receiving member. The resistance to the force received from the internal components was weak. In addition, there is a possibility that the flexible tube inner part of the channel tube, which cannot follow the bending operation of the insertion part, may be damaged.

Therefore, the channel tube is formed of a material having low flexibility over the entire length, and a spiral groove is provided on the outer periphery of the channel tube as shown in Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 59-40002, and a reinforcing coil is provided in this groove. Some of them are wound, but they are located inside the curved tube. If the wall thickness is thinned over the entire length to increase the flexibility of the coil winding part of the channel tube, the channel located inside the flexible tube and inside the operating part The part of the tube may not be able to absorb the effects of twisting and bending of the flexible tube and may collapse. On the contrary, if the wall thickness is increased over the entire length so that the part of the channel tube located from the inside of the flexible tube to the inside of the operating part can sufficiently withstand the influence of twisting and bending of the flexible tube, then the inside of the curved tube The flexibility of the coil-wound portion of the channel tube located at the lower side may be reduced, and the bending operation of the bending tube may be hindered. Also, when the coil was wound over the entire length of the channel tube, the workability and assembly were poor and the cost was high.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to have sufficient flexibility that does not hinder the bending operation of a bending tube or a flexible tube, and a treatment tool. It is an object of the present invention to provide an endoscope having a low-cost channel for inserting a treatment tool, which has good penetrability and is free from buckling or damage.

[0011]

[Means for Solving the Problems]

 In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention comprises an insertion section in which a flexible tube is connected to a proximal end of a bending tube that performs a bending operation, and an operation section provided on the proximal side of the insertion section. From the operation section to the insertion section, there is provided a channel for inserting a treatment instrument, in which a protective coil body is wound around at least the outer periphery of a portion of the flexible tube formed of the same material over the entire length and located in the bending tube. Of the flexible tube forming the treatment instrument insertion channel, the thickness of the tube portion located from the flexible tube to the operation portion is located in the bending tube. It is made thicker than the wall thickness of the tube part.

[0012]

With the above configuration, the portion of the treatment instrument insertion channel located inside the bending tube is formed thin so as to increase flexibility, so that the bending tube can be smoothly moved without hindering the bending operation. To bend. Further, since a protective coil is wound around the outer circumference of the treatment instrument insertion channel located in the curved tube, the treatment instrument insertion channel in this portion is prevented from being deformed in the radial direction as much as possible, and the waist is broken. Buckling is prevented. That is, it is flattened by being repeatedly squeezed by the bending tube, which deteriorates the insertability of the treatment tool, or is damaged by the force received from other internal components such as the wire receiving member. It doesn't get lost.

Further, by forming the portion of the treatment instrument insertion channel located in the flexible tube from the same material as the portion of the treatment instrument insertion channel located in the bending tube, the flexibility of this portion is improved. It is possible to make it possible to follow the bending operation of the flexible tube. Further, since the portion of the treatment instrument insertion channel located inside the flexible tube is formed thicker than the portion of the treatment instrument insertion channel located inside the bending tube, the flexible tube is not twisted or bent. The effect of can be absorbed sufficiently.

[0014]

【Example】

 Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1, 2 and 7 show a first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 7, the endoscope 1 of the present embodiment is an electronic endoscope incorporating an image pickup element, and the endoscope main body is composed of the insertion section 2 and the operation section 3.

Various devices such as a bending operation knob 4 and a suction device 7 are arranged in the operation unit 3. In addition, a universal cord 6 for transmitting an image pickup signal from the endoscope 1 to a video processor 9 having a light source device therein is connected to the operation unit 4. The video processor 9 has a signal processing circuit for processing an image pickup signal from the endoscope 1, and the processed signal is transmitted to a monitor 10 connected to the video processor 9 to display an image. This allows the operator to observe the inside of the endoscope 1 inserted.

Further, a treatment instrument insertion channel 8 for guiding a treatment instrument (not shown) to the tip of the endoscope 1 is provided in the insertion portion 2. Further, the operation section 3 is provided with a treatment instrument insertion port 5 which communicates with the treatment instrument insertion channel 8.

As shown in FIG. 2, the insertion portion 2 is composed of a long flexible tube 11 and a bending tube 13 that can be bent by the operation of the operation wire 12, and the tip of the bending tube 13 is provided with an objective lens or the like. A tip component 14 incorporating an optical element is provided. The flexible tube 11 and the bending tube 13 are formed by laminating a resin outer cover 16 on the outer periphery of the tubular member 15, but the bending tube 13 is formed to have higher flexibility than the flexible tube 11.

A plurality of bending pieces 17 are arranged inside the bending tube 13 in the longitudinal axis direction of the insertion portion 2. The bending pieces 17 ... Are tubular pieces made of stainless steel, and their adjacent ends are rotatably connected by rivets 18 so as to be bendable. Further, the frontmost bending piece 17 is fitted to the base end portion of the tip forming portion 14. Further, in the insertion portion 2, for example, four bending operation wires 12 (one of which is not shown) which are arranged so as to be vertically offset are inserted and arranged. The tip ends of the bending operation wires 12 are separately bonded and fixed to the most distal bending pieces 17 arranged in the bending tube 13. The bending operation wire 12 is inserted into the bending tube 13 while being connected to the bending piece 17 while being supported by a wire receiving portion 19 provided on the inner peripheral wall of the bending piece 17, for example. The flexible pipe 11 is guided by, for example, a guide pipe (not shown) disposed at the base end side of the flexible pipe 11 and is connected to a wire operating mechanism (not shown) operated by the bending operation knob 4 of the operating portion 3. Therefore, if the bending operation knob 4 is rotated to pull one of the bending operation wires 12 toward the operator's side, the bending tube 13 can be bent in that direction. At this time, the other bending operation wire 12 is paid out.

A light guide 21 connected to the light source device of the video processor 9 via the universal cord 6 is provided in the first through hole 20 of the tip forming portion 14 provided at the tip of the bending tube 13. It is attached by means of 22, so that the illumination light from the above-mentioned light source device can be applied to the inside of the body through the lens 23.

Further, two objective lenses 25 are fitted in the second through holes 24 of the tip forming section 14, and an image pickup device 26 is provided on the near side of these objective lenses 25. Therefore, the object light of the object illuminated by the illumination light guided to the inside of the body through the light guide 21 is imaged on the image receiving surface of the image pickup device 26 through the objective lens 25 and photoelectrically converted. The signal is transmitted to the video processor 9 via the electric line 27 and the universal cord 6 for processing. The video signal obtained by processing by the video processor 9 is sent to the TV monitor 10 and is displayed as an image observed by the endoscope 1 on the TV monitor 10.

Further, the endoscope 1 is provided with a treatment instrument insertion channel 8 over the entire length of the operation portion 3 to the insertion portion 2. The treatment instrument insertion channel 8 is composed of a flexible tube 36 formed of a homogeneous material over the entire length. In the flexible tube 36 forming the treatment instrument insertion channel 8, the thickness of the tube portion 36b located from the flexible tube 11 to the operation portion 3 is the same as the tube portion located in the bending tube 13. It is formed thicker than the wall thickness of 36a.

That is, of the flexible tube 36, the tube portion 36 a (hereinafter referred to as the bending tube 36 a) located in the bending tube 13 and in a range slightly beyond the bending tube 13 is bent along with the bending operation of the bending tube 13. It is made of polytetrafluoroethylene and has a small thickness so as to have sufficient flexibility. The distal end side of the bending tube 36a is connected to the outer circumference of the proximal end portion of the mouthpiece 29 fitted in the treatment instrument insertion hole 28 of the distal end forming section 14 by, for example, press fitting.

On the other hand, of the flexible tube 36, a tube portion 36b (hereinafter referred to as a channel tube 36b) located inside the flexible tube 11 and inside the operation portion 3, that is, a portion other than the bending tube 36a, In view of the fact that the flexible tube 11 is twisted, looped, or takes a sufficiently small arc when releasing the loop, the flexible tube 11 is formed with a wall thickness that is sufficiently resistant to buckling and is flexible. It is formed to have a thickness that is flexible enough to follow the bending operation of 11. That is, it is made of polytetrafluoroethylene which is the same quality as the curved tube 36a, and is thicker than the curved tube 36a.

The inner diameter of the bending tube 36a is formed to be larger than the inner diameter of the channel tube 36b in order to improve the insertability of the treatment instrument in the bending tube 36a.

The bending tube 36 a and the channel tube 36 b are connected by the connecting pipe 30. In addition, the proximal end side of the channel tube 36 b in the operation portion 3 is connected to the tip end conduit portion 31 a of the Y-shaped conduit 31 arranged in the operation portion 3 via a connecting pipe 32. The duct 31 is branched into a treatment instrument insertion duct 31b and a suction duct 31c, and the treatment instrument insertion duct 31b communicates with the treatment instrument insertion hole 5 and the suction duct 31c. Communicates with the suction device 7.

FIG. 1 shows a channel 8 for inserting a treatment tool. The curved tube 36a has a spiral groove 33 having an arc-shaped cross section and a substantially uniform depth on the outer periphery of the range L1 excluding a slight portion at both ends. The range L1 in which the spiral groove 33 is formed is longer than the length of the bending tube 13. An elastic coil 34 for preventing buckling, which is formed of a piano wire or a stainless steel wire for spring, is wound around the spiral groove 33 so as to be in close contact with the groove bottom. The end of the coil 34 is chamfered, for example, so as not to damage the curved tube 36a. Further, the ends of the coils 34 are bonded and fixed by 1 to 3 pitches to the bending tube 36a so that the coil 34 is not displaced by the bending operation of the bending tube 13. A gap 39 is provided between the spiral groove 33 and the coil 34 in the axial direction of the curved tube 36a.

Further, the outer peripheral surface of the curved tube 36a in which the spiral groove 33 is formed is subjected to, for example, a tetra-etching treatment for improving adhesiveness over a range L2 slightly longer than the range L1. The coil 34 is coated with a resin 35 that is relatively soft and elastic, and prevents the coil 34 from falling out of the spiral groove 33 of the curved tube 36a. The resin 35 is coated over the same range as the range L2.

The connection pipe 30 that connects the bending tube 36 a and the channel tube 36 b connects the bending tube 36 a and the channel tube 36 b at a position sufficiently close to the bending tube 13. Further, taper portions 30a and 30b are provided at both ends of the connecting pipe 30 so as to incline radially outward. The curved tubes 36a and the channel tubes 36b are press-fitted onto the outer peripheral portions of the taper portions 30a and 30b, respectively, and adhered and fixed to prevent the tubes 36a and 36b from coming off. Further, a slight gap is provided between the proximal end of the curved tube 36a connected to the connecting pipe 30 and the distal end of the channel tube 36b, and the gap is filled with an adhesive and the curved tube 36a and the channel tube are filled. The adhesive is also applied to the outer periphery of the pipe connecting portion of 36b, so that the curved tube 36a and the channel tube 36b are pressed against the connecting pipe 30 from the outside, and the connecting pipes 30 of the tubes 36a and 36b. It has a structure that prevents it from coming off. It should be noted that a thread may be wound around and fixed to the outer peripheries of the pipe connecting portions of the curved tube 36a and the channel tube 36b to prevent the tubes 36a and 36b from coming off from the connecting pipe 30.

Next, the operation of the endoscope having the above configuration will be described. When the bending operation knob 4 of the operation unit 3 is rotated, the operation wire 12 is indexed and the bending tube 13 is bent in the direction of the operation wire 12 pulled. At this time, since the bending tube 36a that constitutes the treatment instrument insertion channel 8 in the bending tube 13 is formed to have a thin wall thickness in order to enhance flexibility, the bending operation of the bending tube 13 is not hindered. Curves smoothly.

Further, the curved tube 36a is partially thinned by the spiral groove 33 provided on the outer periphery thereof as compared with the case where the groove is not processed, and thus the flexibility is accordingly increased. Is high, and the bending tube 13 is in a state in which it can be bent sufficiently with the bending. On the other hand, on the other hand, since the coil 34 is wound around the spiral groove 33 in close contact with the groove bottom, the radial deformation of the bending tube 36a is prevented as much as possible, and the bending of the bending tube 36a, that is, Buckling is prevented. That is, it may be flattened by being crushed by the repeated bending of the curved tube, thereby deteriorating the insertability of the treatment tool, or being damaged by the force received from other internal components such as the wire receiving member. You won't be chilled

Further, the gap 39 provided between the spiral groove 33 and the coil 34 in the axial direction of the bending tube 36a serves as a relief for the shrinkage of the side wall on the inside of the bending of the bending tube 36a when the bending tube 36a is bent. The action prevents the coil 34 from obstructing the contraction of the side wall of the bending tube 36a on the inner side of the curve and destroying its flexibility.

In addition, the channel tube 36b that constitutes the treatment instrument insertion channel 8 in the flexible tube 11 is made flexible enough to follow the bending operation of the flexible tube 11 by the same material as that of the bending tube 36a. Since the flexible tube 11 is formed to have a wall thickness that is greater than that of the curved tube 36a, it is possible to sufficiently absorb the effects of twisting and bending of the flexible tube 11. Therefore, the bending operation of the flexible tube 11 cannot be followed and the channel tube 36b itself is damaged, or the bending or bending of the treatment instrument insertion channel 8 cannot be absorbed by the channel tube 36b. There is no chance of crushing it.

Further, since the bending tube 36a and the channel tube 36b are both made of polytetrafluoroethylene, the coefficient of friction is small and the treatment instrument can be smoothly inserted. Further, since the inner diameter of the curved tube 36a is larger than the inner diameter of the channel tube 36b, even if the curved tube 36a is curved, the treatment tool can smoothly pass through the curved tube 36a.

A tube that forms the treatment instrument insertion channel 8 rather than changing the flexibility of the bending tube portion and the flexible tube-operation portion portion of the treatment instrument insertion channel 8 by changing the material. Since the flexibility of each part of the channel 8 is changed by changing the wall thickness of the channel, the curved tube part of the channel tube is made of a highly flexible material and the flexible tube part of the channel tube is flexible. The cost is lower than the conventional one, which is made of a material with low properties. Furthermore, since the treatment instrument insertion channel 8 of the present embodiment does not require winding of a coil over the entire length, it is easy to process and assemble. In the case of the present embodiment, since the bending tube 36a and the channel tube 36b are connected by the connecting pipe 30, it is difficult for them to break at this portion.

As described above, the treatment instrument insertion channel of the endoscope 1 according to the present embodiment is divided into a curved tube portion and a flexible tube-operation portion portion of the treatment instrument insertion channel 8 by changing the material. Since the flexibility of each part of the channel 8 is changed by changing the wall thickness of the tube forming the treatment instrument insertion channel 8 instead of changing the flexibility, the processing is simple and the cost is low. In addition, it is inexpensive and has sufficient flexibility so as not to hinder the bending operation of the bending tube or the flexible tube due to the above-mentioned configuration, and the treatment instrument has good insertability and is free from buckling or damage. There are advantages.

FIG. 3 shows a second embodiment of the present invention. The endoscope of this embodiment is different from the first embodiment only in the connection method of the bending tube 36a and the channel tube 36b in the treatment instrument insertion channel 8, and the other configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment. Is.

That is, the treatment instrument insertion channel 8 shown in FIG. 3 is formed by directly connecting the bending tube 36a and the channel tube 36b. In this case, a step portion 46 formed by cutting the inner surface of the channel tube 36b over the entire circumference is provided on the inner surface of the distal end portion of the channel tube 36b. The depth of cut of the step portion 46 is the same as the wall thickness of the curved tube 36a. By fitting the base end portion of the curved tube 36a to the step portion 46 and adhesively fixing it, the inner diameter of the channel tube 36b. And the inner diameter of the curved tube 36a are the same. The adhesive 45 that fits and bonds the base end portion of the curved tube 36a and the step portion 46 together is also applied between the distal end surface of the channel tube 36b and the outer peripheral surface of the curved tube 36a. The inner surface of the stepped portion 46 and the outer peripheral surface of the base end portion of the curved tube 36a are subjected to, for example, a tetra-etching treatment so as to be easily bonded.

With the above configuration, the outer diameter of the treatment instrument insertion channel 8 becomes the same as the outer diameter of the channel tube 36b, which can contribute to the reduction in diameter of the insertion portion 2. Further, the channel tube 36b is made only by cutting the material and providing a stepped portion on the tip side, and since the connecting pipe 30 is not required as in the first embodiment, the number of parts is small and the cost is low. . Further, since there is no step on the inner surface of the connecting portion between the bending tube 36a and the channel tube 36b, the treatment instrument is prevented from being caught in this portion, and the treatment instrument can be smoothly inserted. The adhesive 45 is also applied between the end surface of the channel tube 36b and the outer peripheral surface of the curved tube 36a to firmly fix it, so that the channel tube 36b and the curved tube 36a are securely prevented from coming off.

FIG. 4 shows a third embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the proximal end portion of the bending tube 36a is fitted into the distal end portion of the channel tube 36b, and the proximal end surface 49 of the bending tube 36a is inclined inward so that the treatment tool is not caught. Is formed on the surface. The outer peripheral surface of the curved tube 36a and the inner peripheral surface of the distal end of the channel tube 36b are subjected to, for example, a tetra-etching treatment so that they can be easily bonded. An adhesive 45 is applied between the tip end surface of the channel tube 36b and the outer peripheral surface of the curved tube 36a. The other structure is the same as that of the first embodiment. In this configuration, the proximal end surface 49 of the curved tube 36a is formed into a taper surface that is inclined inward so that the treatment tool is not caught, so that the treatment tool can be inserted smoothly.

FIG. 5 shows a connecting portion between the distal end forming portion 14 of the endoscope 1 and the bending tube 36a. The mouthpiece 29 fitted in the treatment instrument insertion hole 28 of the distal end forming portion 14 is fixed by soldering (black portion in the figure) over the entire circumference in the vicinity of the proximal end face of the distal end forming portion 14. The mouthpiece fitting portion 59 of the tip end portion of the curved tube 36a that fits with the mouthpiece 29 and the tip end surface 60 of the curved tube 36a are subjected to a tetra-etching treatment that enhances the adhesiveness of the tube material. The resin 35 coated on the surface of the coil 34 may be an elastic adhesive. In this case, the apex of the wire of the coil 34 is thinly coated with the elastic adhesive as shown in the drawing, and Between the wires of 34, the elastic adhesive is coated at a position lower than the apex of the wires of the coil 34 (smaller in the radial direction).

The curved tube 36 a is fitted and inserted into the base 29 until the coil 34 located at the front end and the rear end 29 a of the base 29 are aligned with each other. An adhesive is used to fix the curved tube 36a and the base 29. This adhesive is applied by fitting the curved tube 36a and the base 29 (45 in the figure) and between the tip surface 60 of the curved tube 36a and the base end surface of the tip forming portion 14 (46). Is done both. In addition, a gut 50 is wound around the outer periphery of the mouthpiece fitting portion 59 of the curved tube 36a fitted with the mouthpiece 29.

With such a configuration, when the bending tube 36a is inserted into the mouthpiece 29, the adhesive applied to the outer peripheral surface of the mouthpiece 29 is wiped off by the tip end surface 60 of the bending tube 36a to bend the bending tube 36a. Even if the adhesive force between the tube 36a and the base 29 is lost, the adhesive force is secured by the adhesive between the tip surface 60 of the curved tube 36a and the tip forming portion 14. In this case, the watertightness between the base 29 and the curved tube 36a is similarly ensured. Alternatively, an adhesive may be applied as shown in FIG. That is, the same effect can be obtained between the tip surface 60 of the curved tube 36a and the base 29.

According to the connection method described above, the watertightness between the bending tube 36a and the mouthpiece 29 can be surely performed, and the occurrence of water leakage at the connecting portion between the bending tube 36a and the mouthpiece 29 can be prevented. Further, since the adhesive strength between the curved tube 36a and the mouthpiece 29 is increased, the pull-out strength of the curved tube 36a with respect to the mouthpiece 29 is improved and the peel strength of the adhesive layer against the twist of the curved tube 36a is improved. Moreover, even if a force in the compression direction is applied to the curved tube 36a and the tube portion of the mouthpiece fitting portion 59 swells to separate the adhesive layer between the connection mouthpiece 29 and the curved tube 36a, The adhesive layer applied ahead of the tip surface 60 ensures water tightness and prevents the curved tube 36a from coming off. The connection method described above can be applied not only to connecting channels but also to connecting other tubes such as water supply tubes and air supply tubes.

[0044]

[Effect of device]

 As described above, by changing the material of the treatment instrument insertion channel of the endoscope of the present invention, the flexibility of the bending tube portion and the flexible tube-operation portion portion of the treatment instrument insertion channel is changed. Instead, the flexibility of each part of the channel is changed by changing the wall thickness of the tube that forms the channel for inserting the treatment instrument. It has the advantages that it has sufficient flexibility that does not hinder the bending operation of the flexible tube, that the treatment instrument is easily inserted, and that there is no buckling or damage.

[Submission date] January 22, 1993

[Procedure Amendment 1]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Name of item to be corrected] 0015

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

Various devices such as a bending operation knob 4 and a suction device 7 are arranged in the operation unit 3. In addition, a universal cord 6 for transmitting an image pickup signal from the endoscope 1 to a video processor 9 having a light source device therein is connected to the operation unit 3 . The video processor 9 has a signal processing circuit for processing an image pickup signal from the endoscope 1, and the processed signal is transmitted to a monitor 10 connected to the video processor 9 to display an image. This allows the operator to observe the inside of the endoscope 1 inserted.

[Procedure Amendment 2]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0028

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

The connection pipe 30 that connects the bending tube 36 a and the channel tube 36 b connects the bending tube 36 a and the channel tube 36 b at a position sufficiently close to the bending tube 13. Further, taper portions 30a and 30b are provided at both ends of the connecting pipe 30 so as to incline radially outward. The curved tubes 36a and the channel tubes 36b are press-fitted onto the outer peripheral portions of the taper portions 30a and 30b, respectively, and adhered and fixed to prevent the tubes 36a and 36b from coming off. Further, a slight gap is provided between the proximal end of the curved tube 36a connected to the connecting pipe 30 and the distal end of the channel tube 36b, and the gap is filled with an adhesive and the curved tube 36a and the channel tube are filled. The adhesive is also applied to the outer periphery of the pipe connecting portion of 36b, so that the curved tube 36a and the channel tube 36b are pressed against the connecting pipe 30 from the outside, and the connecting pipes 30 of the tubes 36a and 36b. It has a structure that prevents it from coming off. It is also possible to prevent the tubes 36a and 36b from coming off from the connecting pipe 30 by winding a thread around the outer circumference of the pipe connecting portion of the curved tube 36a and the channel tube 36b, and applying an adhesive to the outer circumference to fix the tube.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side sectional view of a treatment tool insertion channel of an endoscope showing a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side sectional view of the insertion portion of the endoscope showing the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a side sectional view of a treatment tool insertion channel of an endoscope showing a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a side sectional view of a treatment tool insertion channel of an endoscope showing a third embodiment of the present invention.

5A is a cross-sectional view showing a connection between a treatment instrument insertion channel and a distal end constituent portion, and FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view near a connection portion of the treatment instrument insertion channel.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing another example of the connection between the treatment tool insertion channel and the distal end forming section.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing an overall configuration of an endoscope apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Endoscope, 8 ... Channel for a treatment tool insertion, 34 ... Coil, 36a ... Curved tube, 36b ... Channel tube.

Claims (1)

[Scope of utility model registration request] 1. An insertion part, in which a flexible tube is connected to a base end of a bending tube for performing a bending operation, and an operation part provided on the proximal side of the insertion part, and formed of a material of the same quality over the entire length. An endoscope in which a treatment instrument insertion channel in which a protective coil body is wound around at least a portion of the flexible tube that is located in the bending tube is provided over the entire length of the insertion portion from the operation portion. In the flexible tube forming the treatment instrument insertion channel, the wall thickness of the tube portion located from the flexible tube to the operation portion is thicker than the wall thickness of the tube portion located in the bending tube. An endoscope that is characterized by