JP2000051146A - Endoscope - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an endoscope in which removal work of loosening generated in a curve operation wire can be easily removed without enlarging the size of the operation part. SOLUTION: Plural constituting parts of a curve angle setting mechanism 53, a guide member 52, and a space to constitute a curve operation mechanism 17 set around a connection member 38 are integrally connected into a constituting unit, which is detachably equipped on a bottom plate 24.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a bending operation mechanism for bending a bending portion provided on the distal end side of an elongated insertion portion, inside the operation portion connected to the base end of the insertion portion. The present invention relates to an endoscope provided.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In general, a flexible endoscope has a proximal operating portion connected to a proximal end of an elongated insertion portion. In addition, the insertion portion has a curved portion at the tip of an elongated flexible tube portion having flexibility,
The distal end components are sequentially connected. further,
The operation section is provided with a bending operation knob for remotely bending the bending section. Here, a bending operation mechanism connected to a bending operation knob is disposed inside the operation unit. A transmission mechanism such as an operation wire for transmitting a bending operation by the bending operation mechanism to the bending section is inserted into the insertion section. Then, the operation wire is pulled and driven through the bending operation mechanism in accordance with the rotation operation of the bending operation knob, and the bending portion is bent.

Further, as a bending operation mechanism of a bending portion, for example, there is one having a configuration disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 63-34643. Here, a chain is wound around a sprocket fixed to the inner end of the rotating shaft of the bending operation knob, and both ends of the chain are connected to an operation wire via a connecting member. Further, a collision portion is provided on the connecting member.

[0004] A bending angle setting mechanism for regulating the maximum bending angle of the bending portion is provided inside the operation portion. The bending angle setting mechanism includes a stopper that contacts the collision portion of the connecting member to restrict the movement of the connecting member, a screw member that moves the position of the stopper along the moving direction of the operating wire, and a board of the operating portion. There are provided a supporting member that is fixed and rotatably supports a screw member for adjusting the stopper position, and a partition wall and other components that guide the movement of the connecting member.

The movement of the connecting member is restricted by bringing the collision portion of the connecting member into contact with the stopper, so that the maximum bending angle of the bending portion is restricted, and the position of the stopper is controlled by the screw member of the bending angle setting mechanism. Is moved along the moving direction of the operation wire, so that the maximum bending angle of the bending portion can be arbitrarily set.

[0006] Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 2-43361 also discloses a bending operation mechanism for a bending portion having substantially the same configuration as that of Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 63-34643. And this real fair 2-
Japanese Patent No. 43361 discloses a configuration in which a stopper that restricts the movement of the connecting member by contacting the collision portion of the connecting member of the operation wire and a partition wall that guides the movement of the connecting member are integrated by one member.

[0007]

Generally, in an endoscope, the bending operation of the bending portion may cause the operating wire to be loosened. In this case, a phenomenon occurs in which the bending operation knob does not follow the operation of the bending operation knob, such as a knob play of the bending operation knob, or a desired bending angle cannot be obtained. The operation of removing such slack of the operation wire has been conventionally performed as follows.

For example, in a device disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 63-34643, a slack of a wire is removed by a connecting member connecting a chain incorporated in a bending operation mechanism provided inside an operation portion and an operation wire. Work is performed.
In this case, a plurality of components disposed inside the operation unit, that is, a stopper for regulating the maximum bending angle, a screw member for adjusting the stopper position, and a screw member fixed to the substrate of the operation unit are provided. A support member that rotatably supports,
It is necessary to perform the operation with each component of the bending operation mechanism such as a partition wall that guides the movement of the connecting member removed individually. However, since a large number of components are incorporated in the operation unit, a lot of work is required to disassemble and assemble each component of the bending operation mechanism individually. Therefore, there is a problem that the work of removing the slack of the wire becomes troublesome.

In the configuration disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 2-43361, a stopper for restricting the movement of the connecting member by abutting against the collision portion of the connecting member of the operation wire and a partition wall for guiding the movement of the connecting member are one member. , The component shape becomes complicated.

Further, by setting the maximum bending angle, the partition wall also moves along the moving direction of the wire. Therefore, the operation unit has a space (above the partition wall) for absorbing the movement of the partition wall. Moving space). Therefore, there is also a problem that the operation unit becomes large.

Particularly, in an endoscope having a bending portion capable of bending in four directions, a connecting member in two directions is usually arranged in a two-tiered state inside the operating portion. However, when the stoppers of the bending operation mechanism stacked in two stages and the partition wall that guides the movement of the connecting member are integrated by one member, only the setting of the bending angle in each of two directions can be performed. There is a problem that the angle cannot be obtained.

In the case where a member in which a stopper of the bending operation mechanism and a partition wall for guiding the movement of the connecting member are provided in each of the two bending directions is provided, the operating portion has two integrated members. Since it is necessary to provide spaces (moving spaces for the partition walls) for absorbing the movement of the partition walls, there is a problem that the operation unit is further enlarged. Further, in this case, it is necessary to arrange the fixing positions for fixing the two sets of integrated members to the substrate in the operation unit, including the adjustment ranges, at positions that do not interfere with each other. There is.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide an endoscope capable of easily removing a slack generated in a bending operation wire without increasing the size of an operation unit. Is to provide.

[0014]

According to the present invention, an operation section is connected to a base end of an elongated insertion section, a curved section is connected to a distal end of a flexible tube constituting the insertion section, and the operation section is connected to a flexible tube. A bending operation mechanism for performing a bending operation on the bending portion is provided on a main plate disposed inside of the device, and an operation of being inserted into the insertion portion and transmitting a bending operation by the bending operation mechanism to the bending portion; In an endoscope having a wire and a connecting member for connecting the operation wire and the bending operation mechanism, a plurality of components constituting the bending operation mechanism disposed around the connection member are integrally formed. An endoscope, wherein a component unit of a bending operation mechanism united by joining is provided detachably with respect to the base plate. Then, when removing the slack of the operation wire, the components constituting the bending operation mechanism disposed around the connecting member are detached from the main plate in an integrated state. Thus, since it is not necessary to disassemble the constituent units of the bending operation mechanism, the operation of removing the slack of the operation wire can be easily performed. Further, since the constituent members of the constituent units of the bending operation mechanism to be integrated can be individually manufactured as in the conventional case, the parts are processed in the conventional manner.

[0015]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 (A) and 1 (B) to FIGS. 10 (A) and 10 (B). FIG. 1A shows a schematic configuration of the entire endoscope 1 of the present embodiment.

In the endoscope 1 of the present embodiment, an operation section 3 on the hand side is connected to a rear end of an elongated insertion section 2 inserted into a body cavity. This operation unit 3 has a universal cord 4
Are connected to each other. This universal code 4
The connector 5 is connected to the tip of the. The universal cord 4 of the endoscope 1 is connected via a connector 5 to a light source device (not shown) and a video processor.

The insertion portion 2 has a hard distal end portion 6 from the front end and a curved portion 7 formed at the rear end of the front end portion 6.
And a flexible tube portion 8 formed at the rear end of the curved portion 7 and having flexibility. The bending section 7 is operated to bend in two directions, that is, up and down and left and right, and can be bent in any direction by combining these two directions.

Further, as shown in FIG. 1B, a side-view type observation section 6a which is notched in a substantially flat shape on one side of the outer peripheral surface is formed in the distal end constituting section 6 as shown in FIG. The observation section 6a is provided with an objective lens 9 arranged in a direction perpendicular to the center line direction of the insertion section 2, and a nozzle 10 opening in the direction of the objective lens 9.

Further, an image pickup device (not shown) is arranged inside the distal end portion 6 so as to face the objective lens 9. An image captured by the objective lens 9 is converted into an electrical image signal by an image sensor (not shown). In addition,
A video cable (not shown) for transmitting a video signal is connected to the imaging device. This video cable is inserted section 2,
It is sequentially inserted into the operation unit 3 and the universal cord 4 and guided to the connector 5.

Further, an air supply pipe and a water supply pipe (not shown) inserted into the insertion section 2 are connected to the nozzle 10. These conduits are led to a connector 5 via an air / water supply cylinder (not shown) provided in the operation unit 3 and a universal cord 4.

An illumination lens 11 oriented in the same direction as the objective lens 9 is provided at the distal end component 6. Inside the illumination lens 11, an end of a light guide fiber (not shown) is provided. The light guide fiber is inserted into the insertion section 2, the operation section 3, and the universal cord 4 sequentially, and is guided to the connector 5.

Further, in the vicinity of the objective lens 9 and the nozzle 10, there is formed a treatment instrument raising table storage section 12 which opens in the same direction. A treatment tool raising table 13 is provided in the storage section 12.

Next, returning to FIG. 1A, the configuration of the operation unit 3 will be described. The outside of the operation unit 3 is covered with an operation unit casing 14 and a holding unit casing 15 in a watertight manner. Here, the insertion portion 2 of the holding portion casing 15
At the end on the side, a fold-preventing member 16, which will be described later, made of elastic rubber for preventing sudden bending of the flexible tube portion 8 is provided.

The operating portion casing 14 has a curved portion 7.
Bending operation knob 22 for bending operation of the vertical direction
B and an RL bending operation knob 22A for performing bending operation in the left-right direction are coaxially arranged. These vertical U
The D bending operation knob 22B and the left and right RL bending operation knob 22A are connected to a bending operation mechanism 17 (see FIG. 2) described later provided inside the operation unit casing 14.

Further, the treatment instrument raising table 13 is raised coaxially with the UD bending operation knob 22B and the RL bending operation knob 22A.
A raising knob 18 for inverting is provided. The raising knob 18 is connected to a raising operation mechanism 19 (see FIG. 2) described later inside the operation unit casing 14.

Further, a switch box 21 provided with a plurality of switches 20 for remotely controlling peripheral devices such as a video processor is fixed to the operation unit casing 14 in a watertight manner. The holding unit casing 15 is provided with a treatment tool introduction port 23 for introducing a treatment tool (not shown).

A bending operation mechanism 17 and a raising operation mechanism 19 are provided inside the operation section 3 as shown in FIG. These mechanisms are fixed to a plate-like base plate 24 disposed inside the operation unit 3. The base plate 24 is formed by die-casting of aluminum by injection molding. The base plate 24 is screwed and fixed to the operation unit casing 14 via a fixing plate 130.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the bending operation mechanism 17 in a portion covered by the operation section casing 14, and FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the bending operation knob 22 along the central axis. The bending operation mechanism 17 of the present embodiment includes an RL bending operation mechanism 17A for bending the bending portion 7 in the left-right direction and a UD bending operation mechanism 17B for bending the bending portion 7 in the vertical direction. Have been. Here, as shown in FIG. 4, an RL bending operation mechanism 17A is disposed on the upper surface of the main plate 24. Further, a partition plate 25 is provided above the RL bending operation mechanism 17A.
The UD bending operation mechanism 17B is disposed with the. The cover member 2 is provided on the upper surface of the UD bending operation mechanism 17B.
7 are provided.

The UD bending operation knob 22 is provided on the main plate 24.
The lower end of the shaft member 26 disposed at the center line position of the B and RL bending operation knobs 22A is fixed. This shaft member 2
The upper end of 6 extends to the outside of the operation unit casing 14 while penetrating the partition plate 25 and the cover member 27.

Further, outside the shaft member 26, a cylindrical R
The L rotating cylinder 32A and the UD rotating cylinder 32B disposed outside the RL rotating cylinder 32A are independently rotatably mounted.

At the lower end of the shaft member 26, two sprockets, that is, an RL sprocket 28A of the RL bending operation mechanism 17A and a UD sprocket 28B of the UD bending operation mechanism 17B are rotatably supported. Here, the RL sprocket 28A is fixed to the lower end of the inner RL rotary cylinder 32A, and the UD sprocket 28B is fixed to the lower end of the UD rotary cylinder 32B.

Further, an RL bending operation knob 22A is connected to an upper end of the RL rotating cylinder 32A, and a UD bending operation knob 22B is connected to an upper end of the UD rotating cylinder 32B. The RL sprocket 28A is connected to the RL bending operation knob 22A via the RL rotating cylinder 32A,
The UD sprocket 28B is connected to the UD bending operation knob 22B via a UD rotating cylinder 32B.

An RL chain member 29A is wound around the RL sprocket 28A, and a UD chain member 29B is wound around the UD sprocket 28B. here,
The partition plate 25 has a holding portion 30 at an edge on the insertion portion 2 side facing the UD sprocket 28B and the RL sprocket 28A.
Are integrally formed by outsert molding of a resin. The holding portion 30 is provided with the UD sprockets 28B and R
The position of the L sprocket 28A is regulated and the UD sprocket 28B and the RL sprocket 28A
It separates the chain member 29A and the UD chain member 29B.

Further, on both sides of the partition plate 25, the RL chain member 29A and the UD chain member 29B are prevented from protruding to the side, and furthermore, the RL chain member 29A and the UD chain member 29B which are generated at the time of the bending operation are loosened. The side wall 31 forming the space 131 for absorption is integrally formed by outsert molding of resin.

The RL sprocket 28A and the UD sprocket 28B have RL chain members 29A on their outer peripheral portions.
A cover member 33 for preventing the UD chain member 29B from coming off is fixed to the main plate 24 with screws. A cylindrical member 34 into which the RL rotary cylindrical body 32A and the UD rotary cylindrical body 32B are inserted is screwed and fixed to the cover member 33.

As shown in FIG. 5, each of the chain members 2 of the RL chain member 29A and the UD chain member 29B
The connecting member 38 is connected to an end of the connecting member 9. The base end of an operation wire 39 provided in the insertion section 2 is connected to the connecting member 38. The distal end of the operation wire 39 is fixed to the distal end of the bending portion 7. The operation wire 39 is manufactured by twisting a plurality of wires, and a flexible stranded wire is used.

The operation wire 39 is inserted into the guide coil 40. The distal end of the guide coil 40 is fixed to the distal end of the flexible tube 8. The proximal end of the guide coil 40 is inserted into the flexible tube 8 and guided to the operation unit 3. Further, a locking block 41 is fixed to the proximal end of the guide coil 40 by soldering or the like as shown in FIG. The locking block 41 is engaged and fixed to an L-shaped engaging plate 42 fixed to the main plate 24 with screws.

When the RL bending operation knob 22A is rotated, the rotation of the knob 22A is transmitted to the RL sprocket 28A via the RL rotating cylinder 32A, and the RL sprocket 28A rotates together with the knob 22A. . Further, the RL chain member 29A is driven by the rotation of the RL sprocket 28A,
As the RL chain member 29A travels, the operation wire 39 is pulled and driven through the connecting member 38 so that the bending portion 7 is bent in the left-right direction.

Similarly, when the UD bending operation knob 22B is rotated, the rotation of the knob 22B is transmitted to the UD sprocket 28B via the UD rotating cylinder 32B, and the UD sprocket 28B rotates together with the knob 22B. I have. Further, the UD chain member 29B is driven to travel with the rotation of the UD sprocket 28B,
With the running operation of the UD chain member 29B, the operation wire 39 is pulled and driven via the connecting member 38, and the bending portion 7 is bent in the vertical direction.

A ring-shaped fitting recess 14a is formed at the tip of the operation casing 14 so as to fit with the rear end of the holding casing 15. The rear end of the holding section casing 15 is fitted into the fitting recess 1 of the operation section casing 14.
4a, and the end surface and the inner surface thereof are connected in a state of being in contact with the fitting concave portion 14a of the operation unit casing 14. Further, an O-ring 134 is attached to a contact portion between the rear end portion of the holding portion casing 15 and the fitting concave portion 14a of the operation portion casing 14, and this contact portion is water-tightly sealed.

FIGS. 6A to 6C show the connecting member 38.
2 shows a connection portion between the control wire 39 and the operation wire 39. Here, a chain member 29 (RL) is provided at the rear end of the connecting member 38.
A connecting portion 38A with the chain member 29A and the UD chain member 29B) is provided.

Further, an operating wire 39 is connected to the connecting member 38.
There is provided a wire locking portion 43 for locking the base end portion of the wire in a detachable manner. As shown in FIG. 6 (C), the wire locking portion 43 has an engagement space 4 opened on one side surface of the connecting member 38.
3A is provided. In this engagement space 43, a plurality of engagement protrusions 44 protruding toward the inside are provided with operation wires 39.
Are arranged side by side along the axial direction. Here, the engagement space 4
3 has a circular groove 132 along the axial direction of the operation wire 39.
Are formed in a row, so that the engaging projections 44 are formed by the continuous portions between the adjacent circular grooves 132.

The other side surface of the connecting member 38 (the engaging space 4
6A and 6B, an elongated hole 52 extending along the axial direction of the operation wire 39, and a substantially claw-shaped projection protruding to the outer surface side of the connecting member 38, as shown in FIGS. Are formed. Here, the long hole 52 is disposed on the side of the connecting portion 38 </ b> A with the chain member 29 and has a width smaller than the engagement space 43. Further, the convex portion 88 is disposed closer to the connecting portion with the operation wire 39 than the elongated hole 52.

A substantially tubular stop member 45 is fixed to the proximal end of the operation wire 39 by soldering or the like.
The stop member 45 has a large-diameter portion 46 formed on the proximal side and a small-diameter portion 47 formed on the distal end side. Furthermore, the small diameter portion 4
7 is provided with an engagement member 49.

The engaging member 49 is formed in a cylindrical shape having substantially the same diameter as the circular groove 132 of the connecting member 38. And
The engaging member 49 is provided with a through hole 48 extending in a direction perpendicular to the center line of the columnar shape and penetrating substantially at the center of the upper surface and the bottom surface. This through hole 48 is used for the stopper member 4.
5 is larger than the small diameter portion 47 and smaller than the large diameter portion 46.

Further, a flat portion 50 is formed in the engaging member 49 at a position where the end of the large diameter portion 46 abuts when the small diameter portion 47 of the stopper member 45 is inserted into the through hole 48. Note that a similar flat portion 50 is also formed in the opening at the other end of the through hole 48 in the engagement member 49 of the present embodiment. Therefore, the engaging member 49 has a left-right symmetric shape of the through hole 48.

When the engagement member 49 is inserted into the circular groove 132, the stop member 45 is moved to the engagement space 43 while the movement of the operation wire 39 in the axial direction is restricted by the projection 44.
It is engaged and fixed inside. Thereby, the operation wire 39
The wire fixing position adjusting means for locking the connecting position of the moving wire along the axial direction of the operation wire 39 is configured.

Further, a cylindrical regulating member 51 having substantially the same diameter as the circular groove 132 is located closer to the hand than the engaging position of the engaging member 49.
Are arranged. Then, the regulating member 51 is
By being engaged with the second member 2, the movement of the stop member 45 in the engagement space 43 is regulated.

As shown in FIG. 5, a guide wall 133 for guiding the movement of the connecting member 38 is provided on the main plate 24.
4 stands substantially vertically. The guide wall 133 contacts the opening side of the engagement space 43 of the connecting member 38 to guide the movement of the connecting member 38. The ridge lines of the connecting member 38, the engaging member 49, and the regulating member 51 provided on the guide wall 133 side are chamfered.

Further, inside the operation section 3, a bending angle setting mechanism 53 for setting the maximum bending angles of the bending section 7 in two directions, up and down and left and right, and a side section of the two connecting members 38. Two guide members 54 for regulating the traveling position are provided respectively. Here, a U-shaped portion 59 is formed on each of the two guide members 54 by bending a metal plate into a U-shape as shown in FIG. On one of the end surfaces of the U-shaped portion 59, a fixed bending surface 55 is formed which is substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the guide member 54 and is bent so as to be disposed on the side of the base plate 24. Further, a contact bending surface 56 is formed on the other end surface of the U-shaped portion 59 so as to be in contact with the outer surface of the fixing bending surface 55.

The fixing bending surface 55 is provided with a fixing through hole 139. The contact bending surface 56 is arranged so as not to cover the fixing through-hole 139.

The two guide members 54 are respectively screwed and fixed to the engaging member 58 via the fixing bent surface 55 with the fixing screws 55A in a state of being stacked in two upper and lower stages. Here, the end of the U-shaped portion 59 is
, And the width of the U-shaped portion 59 is regulated. At this time, the guide member 54 is fixed to the engagement member 58 only by the fixing bending surface 55,
Since the contact bending surface 56 is disposed in contact with the fixing bending surface 55, the U-shaped portion 59 on the contact bending surface 56 side does not protrude inward. Therefore, the contact bending surface 5
The U-shaped portion 59 on the sixth side does not protrude inward and does not hinder the sliding of the connecting member 38.

The engaging member 58 is provided with a U-shaped notch 61 which is opened substantially in the same direction as the center line of the guide member 54. Further, spacers 57 for regulating the width of the U-shaped portion 59 are integrally fixed to a substantially central portion in the longitudinal direction of the U-shaped portion 59 by bonding or the like. The surface of the U-shaped portion 59 provided on the side of the base plate 24 is provided with a retaining bent portion 67 protruding in the direction of the base plate 24.

Next, the bending angle setting mechanism 53 will be described. The bending angle setting mechanism 53 includes one fixing member 68 fixed to the main plate 24, two adjustment screws 69 for adjusting the maximum bending angle in each of the vertical and horizontal directions, And two stoppers 70 are provided. Here, the fixing member 68 includes a fixing surface 71 parallel to the front surface of the main plate 24, a side wall 72 having a side disposed on the side of the main plate 24 bent perpendicularly to the fixing surface 71, and a side wall thereof. 72 is formed by a screw receiving surface 73 which is bent substantially perpendicularly to the sliding direction of the connecting member 38. Further, screw insertion holes 74 are formed in the screw receiving surface 73 at positions facing the guide members 54 in the vertical and horizontal directions.

The stopper 70 is provided on the holding portion 7 provided with a screw hole 76 into which the screw portion 75 of the adjusting screw 69 can be screwed.
7 and a stopper 78 protruding in a direction perpendicular to the center line of the screw hole 76. Further, the fixing member 6
A screw portion 75 is inserted through a screw insertion hole 74 provided in the screw receiving surface 73 of the eighth member 8 from the tip end side. The screw member 75 is screwed into the screw hole 76 of the stopper 70, whereby the fixing member 68, the adjusting screw 69, and the stopper 70 are integrated.

At the end of the adjusting screw 69 on the hand side, there is provided a rotation supporting portion 79 in which no screw groove is formed. The rotation support 79 is rotatably supported by a rotation hole 80 provided in the engagement member 58. here,
At the end of the adjustment screw 69 opposite to the rotation support portion 79, an adjustment portion 81 having a diameter larger than the screw insertion hole 74 of the fixing member 68 is provided. By setting the gap between the adjusting portion 81 and the stopper 70 larger than the thickness of the fixing member 68, the fixing member 68, the adjusting screw 69, and the stopper 70 are relatively moved along the axial direction by the gap. Can be moved.

Further, a cross-shaped groove 82 is formed on the end face on the tip side of the adjusting section 81. The restricting portion 84 of the screwing member 83 is engaged with the groove 82 in a detachable manner. The fixing portion 85 is screwed and fixed to the side wall 72 of the fixing member 68 with the fixing screw 83A in a state where the regulating portion 84 of the screw fixing member 83 is engaged with the groove portion 82, so that the adjusting screw 69 is fixed. The rotation of is regulated. As a result, the relative movement of the fixing member 68, the adjusting screw 69 and the stopper 70 becomes impossible,
The engagement member 58 is relatively movable only in the engagement direction between the rotation support 79 and the rotation hole 80.

Further, the bending angle setting mechanism 5 of the present embodiment
In 3, the convex portion 88 of the connecting member 38 and the stopper portion 78 of the stopper 70 are brought into contact with each other to restrict the movement of the connecting member 38, thereby restricting the maximum bending angle of the bending portion 3. Further, by rotating the adjusting screw 69 of the bending angle setting mechanism 53, the stopper 70 is moved along the moving direction of the operation wire 39, and the stopper portion 78
By adjusting the position, the maximum bending angle of the bending portion 3 can be set arbitrarily.

As shown in FIG. 8A, a concave portion 87 for accommodating the fixing surface 71 of the fixing member 68 is formed in the base plate 24. The recess 87 is formed at a position lower than the surface on which the connecting member 38 slides along the base plate 24 by the thickness of the fixed surface 71. The fixing surface 71 is screwed and fixed to the concave portion 87 from the front side of the main plate 24 with the fixing screw 71A. Further, a retaining bent portion 67 of the lower guide member 54 is disposed in a state of being substantially in contact with a distal end portion of the fixed surface 71.

A fixing projection 86 is formed on the side wall 72 of the fixing member 68. Further, the fixing member 68 is perpendicular to the fixing direction on the fixing surface 71 at the fixing convex portion 86, and is also fixed by screws 86A from the side of the base plate 24.

The upper and lower guide members 54 are arranged between the U-shaped portions 59 of the upper and lower guide members 54.
And the cover member 27 is disposed on the U-shaped portion 59 of the upper guide member 54. In this state, the upper and lower guide members 54 are
Is fixed to the same surface as the surface on which the connecting member 38 of the main plate 24 slides by a fixing screw 57A. At this time, the U-shaped portion 5 of the guide member 54
9, the projection 88 of the connecting member 38 and the stopper 78 of the stopper 70 are disposed in a state inserted respectively.

In the present embodiment, a plurality of components constituting the bending operation mechanism 17 disposed around the connecting member 38, that is, the bending angle setting mechanism 53 and the guide member 5
A component unit of the bending operation mechanism 17 in which the unit 4 and the spacer 57 are integrally joined to form a unit is provided detachably with respect to the main plate 24.

As shown in FIG. 8B, a column 62 for engaging an engaging member 58 is fixed to the base plate 24. The column 62 has a cylindrical engaging portion 63, an attachment direction regulating portion 64 formed at the upper end of the engaging portion 63 and having a smaller diameter than the engaging portion 63, and an upper end of the attaching direction regulating portion 64. The vertical position restricting portion 65 having a diameter larger than that of the engaging portion 63.
Are provided.

Further, as shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 8A, a fixing notch 66 is formed in the vertical position restricting portion 65 by cutting a part of the circumference of the vertical position restricting portion 65. I have. Here, the notch 61 of the engaging member 58 is
And the length from the main plate 24 to the lower surface of the vertical position restricting portion 65 is substantially equal to the length of the engaging member 58.

The column 62 is screwed and fixed to the main plate 24 with a fixing screw 62A from the back side while holding the fixing notch 66. Further, the engaging portion 63 and the mounting direction regulating portion 64 of the column 62 include
The movement of the engaging member 58 in the mounting direction and the vertical direction is restricted, and the engaging member 58 is rotatably engaged with and fixed to the center of the column 62.

FIG. 9 shows a raising operation mechanism 19 near the raising knob 18. The raising operation mechanism 19 is provided with an operation ring 35 rotatably supported coaxially with the bending operation knob 22. The raising knob 18 is fixed to the operation ring 35. Further, one end of a connecting member 89 is rotatably connected to the operation ring 35.

The other end of the connecting member 89 has a piston 9
0 is likewise pivotably connected. This piston 9
To 0, the base end of a raising wire (not shown) inserted in the insertion portion 2 is fixed. The distal end of the raising wire is connected to the treatment instrument raising table 13. By operating the raising knob 18, the treatment instrument raising table 13 can be raised and inverted.

As shown in FIG. 9, the fixing notch 66 of the support column 62 is arranged so as to face the position where the connecting member 89 is arranged in a state where the treatment instrument raising table 13 is inverted. When the treatment instrument raising table 13 is inverted, the support 62
Does not interfere with the connecting member 89.

The operation unit 3 and the insertion unit 2 according to the present embodiment
Referring to FIGS. 10A and 10B, the structure of the fold-preventing member 16 provided at the connecting portion with the above will be described. FIG.
FIG. 10A is a cross-sectional view of the vicinity of a connection portion between the folding member 16 and the holding casing 15, and FIG.
6 is a cross-sectional view of the flexible tube portion 8 side end. Here, the base end of the cylindrical member 91 is screwed and fixed to the end on the front end side of the base plate 24 as shown in FIG.
The proximal end of the flexible tube 8 is fixedly screwed to the distal end of the cylindrical member 91.

The distal end portion of the holding casing 15 is provided on the base end side of the cylindrical member 91. Further, a bending preventing member 16 is provided on the distal end side of the cylindrical member 91.

A branch member 93 is screwed and fixed to the cylindrical member 91. The branch member 93 includes a treatment tool insertion conduit 92 having an opening in the storage portion 12 of the distal end component portion 6,
This is for connecting a base member 94 forming a passage to the treatment instrument introduction port 23. Here, the seal between the branch member 93 and the base member 94 is provided with a deformed packing 95 so that watertightness is maintained. Similarly, the watertightness is maintained between the base member 94 and the holding portion casing 15 by the O-ring 134 and the watertight lid 96 made of rubber.

Further, the distal end of the suction pipe 97 is connected to the proximal side of the branch member 93. The base end side of the suction pipe 97 is arranged so as to run on the back side of the main plate 24 and is guided to a suction cylinder (not shown). It should be noted that other built-in components such as an air supply / water supply conduit, a light guide cable, and a video cable (not shown) are also arranged so as to run on the back side of the main plate 24.

Further, a screw portion 98 is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical member 91 on the distal end side from the position where the base member 94 is provided. A female screw portion on the inner peripheral surface of the fixing ring 100 is screwed into the screw portion 98 of the cylindrical member 91, and the holding portion casing 15 is disposed in a state of being urged in the direction of the operation portion casing 14.

Further, on the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical member 91 on the distal end side of the fixing ring 100, a screw portion 101 for fixing the break preventing member 16 is provided. Here, the breaking prevention member 1
Reference numeral 6 denotes a substantially cylindrical receiving member 99 made of metal, and a substantially cylindrical breaking rubber 102 disposed so as to cover the outer peripheral surface thereof. The buckling member 16 is fixed to the cylindrical member 91 by screwing the receiving member 99 to the screw portion 101.

Also, an O-ring 135 is provided between the receiving member 99 and the end of the holding portion casing 15 which is in contact, and an O-ring 136 is provided between the receiving member 99 and the flexible tube portion 8 which is in contact.
Are provided, and the watertight state is maintained.

Further, an annular step 103 is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the end of the rubber stopper 102 on the side of the flexible tube 8 as shown in FIG. 10B. A thin portion 13 is provided on the tip side of the step 103 of the breaking rubber 102.
7 are formed.

The inner diameter of the thin portion 137 is set equal to or slightly larger than the outer diameter of the flexible tube 8. Further, the thin portion 137 on the tip side of the rubber stopper 102
Is covered with a thin rubber elastic tube 104 with its rear end in contact with the step 103. The distal end of the elastic tube 104 is coated on the outer peripheral surface of the flexible tube 8. The elastic tube 104 covers the periphery of the joint between the thin portion 137 on the distal end side of the buckling rubber 102 and the flexible tube 8. The inner diameter of the elastic tube 104 is set smaller than the outer diameter of the flexible tube portion 8, for example, about 90% or less of the inner diameter of the rubber 102. This allows
The elastic tube 104 and the flexible tube portion 8 are firmly adhered to each other, and the thin portion 137 of the buckling rubber 102 is also urged in a direction in which the elastic tube 104 comes into close contact with the flexible tube portion 8 and is attached in a tightly adhered state. . Further, the concave portion 1 on the tip side of the rubber stopper 102
The depth of 03 is set substantially equal to the thickness of the elastic tube 104.

Next, the operation of the above configuration will be described.
First, the bending operation of the endoscope 1 according to the present embodiment will be described. When one of the bending operation knobs of the operation unit 3, for example, the RL bending operation knob 22A is rotated in a desired direction,
Rotational motion is transmitted to the RL sprocket 28A via the RL rotating cylinder 32A, and the RL chain member 29A wound around the RL sprocket 28A is pulled toward the hand.

At this time, the RL chain member 29A on the side to be pulled out is pressed by the pressing portion 30 to the RL sprocket 28A.
Since the RL chain member 29A is separated from the RL sprocket 28A, the RL chain member 29A does not hinder the bending operation. Further, although the loosened chain member 29 is loosened, the looseness is absorbed by the space 131 whose side surface is covered by the side wall 31, and the chain member 29 does not protrude laterally from the side wall 31. Therefore, good operability is obtained. Further, since the holding portion 30 and the side wall portion 31 are formed integrally with the partition plate 25, the assembly operation is unnecessary and the manufacture is easy.

Further, with the operation of pulling the RL chain member 29A toward the hand, the connecting member 38, the engaging member 4
The operation wire 39 is pulled into the hand side through the 9 and the stopper member 45. Thereby, the bending portion 7 is bent in a desired direction. At this time, when tension is applied to the operation wire 39, the operation wire 39 is rotated by the twisting method, but the rotation is absorbed because the stopper member 45 is rotatable relative to the engagement member 49. . Therefore, a load due to the rotation is not applied to the fixing portion between the stop member 45 and the operation wire 39, and the operability is not hindered.

Further, since the stopper member 45 and the engaging member 49 are separate members, the volume of the stopper member 45 can be reduced, and the operation for fixing the operation wire 39 by soldering is easy. Further, a stop member 45 opposite to the bending direction of the bending portion 7
, A load is applied in the direction of being pushed toward the hand side via the operation wire 39, but the stop member 45 is
Is restricted, the stop member 45 does not come off from the engagement member 49, and the RL is
The chain member 29A is pushed into the hand, and the space 1
The load is absorbed by the RL chain member 29A becoming loose at 31.

Further, when the RL bending operation knob 22A is further rotated, the convex portion 88 of the connecting member 38 comes into contact with the stopper portion 78 of the stopper 70, whereby the rotation range, that is, the maximum bending angle of the bending portion 7 is regulated. . Here, when a load is further applied to the RL bending operation knob 22 </ b> A in a state where the projection 88 of the connecting member 38 and the stopper 78 of the stopper 70 are in contact with each other, the adjusting portion 81 of the adjusting screw 69 causes the screw receiving surface 7.
3 is retracted toward the hand, so that the fixing member 6
8, a load that is relatively twisted between the fixing surface 71 and the side wall 72 is applied. However, since the fixing member 68 is fixed to the base plate 24 in two directions perpendicular to each other at the fixing surface 71 and the fixing convex portion 86, a high fixing strength can be obtained even with the load.

Although the operation in the case where the RL bending operation knob 22A is rotated in a desired direction has been described, the same applies to the case in which the UD bending operation knob 22B is rotated in a desired direction.

In order to set the maximum bending angle of the bending portion 7, a fixing screw 83 fixing the screw member 83 is used.
A is removed, and the engagement between the groove 82 of the adjusting screw 69 and the restricting portion 84 is released. As a result, the adjusting screw 69 becomes rotatable. In this state, when the adjustment screw 69 is rotated while the rotation support portion 79 and the rotation hole 80 of the engagement member 58 are engaged, the stopper 70 is guided by the screw portion 75 and
9 in the moving direction. By this operation, the stopper 7
The maximum bending angle of the bending portion 7 is adjusted by adjusting the contact position between the stopper portion 78 of the stopper 70 and the convex portion 88 of the connecting member 38 by moving the zero stopper portion 78 in the moving direction of the operation wire 39. Is set.

If the maximum bending angle of the bending portion 7 cannot be adjusted completely by the above operation, the stopper 70 is
8 needs to be replaced with another stopper 70 having a different position. In this case, by pulling out the adjustment screw 69 toward the hand side, the rotation support portion 79 is disengaged from the rotation hole 80 of the engagement member 58, and the two fixing screws 86A and 71A fixing the fixing member 68 are further fixed. The main plate 2 of the operation unit 3
4, the bending angle setting mechanism 53 can be integrally removed.

Then, the stopper 70 is replaced with a stopper having a different position of the stopper portion 78, and the bending angle setting mechanism 53 is attached to the main plate 24 of the operation portion 3 by the operation reverse to the above, and the position of the stopper portion 78 of the stopper 70 is changed. By adjusting, a desired maximum bending angle of the bending portion 7 can be obtained. At this time, the fixing member 68 is fixed from the upper surface side of the main plate 24 and two fixing screws 86A and 71A from the side surface orthogonal to the upper surface side.
Is performed by screwing. Therefore, the main plate 24
Since it does not affect the built-in components disposed on the back side of the device, it does not damage them.

Next, the operation of the break preventing member 16 will be described. When the insertion section 2 is inserted into a body cavity, an operation of bending the flexible tube section 8 in various directions with respect to the operation section 3 is performed as the insertion operation proceeds. At this time, the flexible tube portion 8 is gently bent by the elastic breaking rubber 102 at the joint between the operation portion 3 and the flexible tube portion 8, so that the flexible tube portion 8 is prevented from buckling.

Furthermore, since the thin portion 137 of the rubber 102 is prevented from being bent by the elastic tube 104 while the flexible tube portion 8 is strongly tightened, the elastic tube 104 and the flexible tube portion 8 can be connected to each other by the above operation. There is no gap between the contact portion and the contact portion between the elastic tube 104 and the thin portion 137 of the rubber stopper 102. Further, since the elastic tube 104 and the thin portion 137 of the rubber 102 are thin, even if the flexible tube 8 is strongly tightened, it is flexible.
Since the load is slight, the flexible tube 8 does not buckle. Further, since the depth of the concave portion 103 of the rubber stopper 102 and the thickness of the elastic tube 104 are substantially equal, the appearance is smooth.

Next, a description will be given of a method of removing the slack generated on the operation wire 39 by repeatedly performing the bending operation on the bending portion 7. In this case, first, it is necessary to remove the holding section casing 15 of the operation section 3 to expose the bending operation mechanism 17, and it is necessary to remove the fold-preventing member 16.

When removing the buckling member 16, first, the elastic tube 104 is cut and removed. Here, since the elastic tube 104 is a tubular member, it is inexpensive, and since it is small, it is easy to carry.

Next, the folding member 16 is rotated in the direction opposite to the screwing direction, and after the screwing of the receiving member 99 and the cylindrical member 91 is released, the folding member 16 is moved in the distal direction. At this time, since the bending preventing member 16 from which the elastic tube 104 has been removed is in contact with the flexible tube portion 8 or is in a state where a slight gap is formed, the flexible tube portion 8 is displaced in the above-mentioned rotation operation or in the distal direction. Work is easy because there is no need to use a jig or the like.

Next, the connection between the watertight lid 96 and the base member 94 and the branch member 93 is released, the base member 94 is removed, and the fixing ring 100 is rotated to remove the screw engagement with the screw part 98.
Accordingly, the fixed state of the holding unit casing 15 is released, and the bending operation mechanism 17 is exposed to the outside by shifting the holding unit casing 15 to the distal end side.

Subsequently, it is necessary to remove the guide member 54 on the side of the connecting member 38 to secure a work space for removing the slack of the operation wire 39 at the connecting member 38 portion. At this time, when removing the guide member 54, it is necessary to also remove the bending angle setting mechanism 53 on the side thereof.

When removing them, first, the two fixing screws 86A and 71A fixing the fixing member 68 are removed. At this time, as described above, the built-in components on the back side of the base plate 24 are not damaged.

Further, since the fixing surface 71 of the fixing member 68 and the retaining bent portion 67 of the guide member 54 are disposed substantially in contact with each other, the engagement between the stopper portion 78 and the rotary hole 80 may not be released. Instead, the bending angle setting mechanism 53 and the guide member 54 are maintained in an integrated state.

Then, the fixing screw 57A fixing the guide member 54, the partition plate 25 and the guide member 27 at the portion where the spacer 57 is fixed is removed. As a result, the member in which the bending angle setting mechanism 53, the guide member 54, and the spacer 57 are integrated is in a state where only the engaging member 58 is engaged with the support column 62.

Subsequently, the integrated member is inserted into the insertion section 2.
Pull out in the direction of. At this time, when the guide member 54 and the retaining bent portion 67 interfere with the engagement plate 42 and the base plate 24, the guide member 54 and the retaining plate 67 can be integrally removed by combining rotation operations with the support column 62 as a fulcrum.

In this state, an operation for removing the slack in the operation wire 39 is performed. Here, first, the connecting member 3
The engagement between the engagement member 49 and the circular groove 132 in the engagement space 43 is released by pulling the engagement member 8 to the side of the main plate 24. At this time,
Since the guide member 54 and the bending angle setting mechanism 53 are removed and a wide working space is secured, workability is good.

Next, the adjustment length of the operation wire 39 in each direction is determined according to the slack amount of the operation wire 39, and the locking position of the regulating member 51 to the circular groove 132 is set closer to the hand by that length. Stagger. At this time, the regulating member 51 can be easily removed from the circular groove 132 by pushing the regulating member 51 outward through the long hole 52 of the connecting member 38.

After that, the engaging member 49 is inserted into the circular groove 132 on the side of the insertion portion 2 by two positions from the position where the regulating member 51 is engaged.
Engages. At this time, the convex portions 44 formed before and after that
As a result, the engaging member 49 does not shift in the axial direction. With the above operation, the slack of the operation wire 39 is removed, and the play of the bending operation knob 22 is eliminated.

Next, as an operation of reassembly, first, a member in which the bending angle setting mechanism 53, the guide member 54 and the spacer 57 are integrated is assembled to the main plate 24 of the operation section 3 by an operation reverse to the above. At this time, the position of the stopper portion 78 of the stopper 70 is arranged at the same position as before disassembly. Since the decrease in the maximum bending angle is caused by the slack of the operation wire 39, the slack of the operation wire 39 is removed in the above operation, so that it is not necessary to reset the maximum bending angle during the reassembly operation.

Next, the fixing ring 100, the base member 94 and the fold-preventing member 16 are assembled respectively, and finally a new elastic tube 104 is assembled. This elastic tube 104
When assembling, the maximum diameter of the insertion portion 2 and the rubber
The elastic tube 104 is externally mounted on a working pipe (not shown) which is larger in diameter than the thin portion 137 of FIG. 02 and smaller than the portion of the anti-folding rubber 102 closer to the recess 103, and inserts the working pipe from the tip component 6 side. I do. Since the work pipe cannot be pulled further toward the hand side by contacting the concave portion 103 of the rubber stopper 102, the fixed positioning work is easy. Then, while holding the elastic tube 104, the working pipe is pulled out,
At that time, the end face of the elastic tube 104 and the rubber 1
By pulling out the work pipe in a state in which the recess 103 of 02 is in close contact with the recess 103, the assembly can be assembled with a smooth appearance.

Therefore, the above configuration has the following effects. That is, in the present embodiment, the connecting member 38
A plurality of components constituting the bending operation mechanism 17 disposed around the periphery of the bending operation mechanism 17, that is, a bending operation setting unit 53, a guide member 54, and a constituent unit of the bending operation mechanism 17, which are unitized by integrally joining the spacer 57, Since it is provided detachably with respect to the base plate 24 in the operation section 3, the operation wire 39 is provided.
When the slack is removed, the components constituting the bending operation mechanism 17 disposed around the connecting member 38 can be detached from the main plate 24 in an integrated state. Accordingly, since the constituent units of the bending operation mechanism 17 removed from the base plate 24 do not need to be disassembled, the operation of removing the slack of the operation wire 39 can be easily performed.

Further, since the constituent members of the constituent units of the bending operation mechanism 17 to be integrated can be individually manufactured as in the conventional case, the parts are processed as in the conventional case. Further, since the bending angle setting mechanism 53, the guide member 54, and the spacer 57 can be integrally attached and detached only by removing the screws, the slack generated in the bending operation wire 39 can be removed without increasing the size of the operation unit 3. Further, after the work for removing the slackness of the operation wire 39, the components of the constituent units of the bending operation mechanism 17 to be integrated are assembled again to the base plate 24 of the operation unit 3 after the operation for removing the slack. Since it is unnecessary to reset the bending angle, the operation of removing the slack generated on the operation wire 39 can be performed very easily.

FIG. 11 shows a second embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment is a first embodiment (see FIGS. 1A and 1B to FIGS. 10A and 10B).
Of the endoscope 1 of the endoscope 1 is changed as follows.

That is, in the present embodiment, the elastic tube 104 of the folding member 16 of the endoscope 1
The contact portion between the thin portion 137 and the flexible tube portion 8 on the distal end side of No. 02 is filled with an adhesive 105 having elasticity. The inner diameter of the thin portion 137 of the buckling rubber 102 is smaller than the outer diameter of the flexible tube 8, and is set to, for example, about 95% to 85% of the outer diameter of the flexible tube 8. Further, the inner diameter of the elastic tube 104 is set to be equal to or slightly larger than that of the flexible tube 8. Other configurations are the same as in the first embodiment.

Therefore, in this embodiment, the elastic tube 104 of the breaking member 16 of the endoscope 1 and the rubber 10
2 and the flexible tube 8 are bonded together with the adhesive 1
Since there is no gap, no gap is formed in that portion. Further, since the inner diameter of the elastic tube 104 is set to be equal to or slightly larger than the outer diameter of the flexible tube portion 8, it is easy or unnecessary to attach the elastic tube 104 to a work pipe as a jig. Therefore, the work of attaching and detaching the buckling member 16 necessary for removing the slack of the operation wire 39 becomes easy.

FIG. 12 shows a third embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment is a first embodiment (see FIGS. 1A and 1B to FIGS. 10A and 10B).
Of the endoscope 1 of the endoscope 1 is changed as follows.

That is, in this embodiment, the buckling member 1 of the endoscope 1 of the first embodiment and the second embodiment is used.
A heat-shrinkable tube 106 is used instead of the elastic tube 104 used in 6. This heat shrink tube 106
The inner diameter before contraction is larger than the maximum diameter of the insertion portion 2 and the outer diameter of the thin portion 137 of the rubber stopper 102.

The inner diameter of the heat-shrinkable tube 106 after contraction is set smaller than the outer diameter of the flexible tube portion 8. Further, the thickness of the heat-shrinkable tube 106 after shrinkage is set so as to be substantially the same as the depth of the concave portion 103 of the rubber 102. The configuration of the other parts is the same as that of the first embodiment, and the adhesive 105 is applied to the contact portion between the flexible tube portion 8, the heat-shrinkable tube 106, and the thin portion 137 as in the second embodiment. It may be filled.

Next, the operation of the above configuration will be described.
In the present embodiment, the elastic tube 10 of the first embodiment is used.
Since the inner diameter of the heat-shrinkable tube 106 used as 4 before shrinkage has the above relationship, the elastic tube 1
04 is guided to a predetermined position by being inserted from the tip of the insertion section 2 without using a jig or the like. Thereafter, when the heat is applied, the elastic tube 104 contracts, and the end of the rubber stopper 102 is urged in the direction of the flexible tube 8, so that the elastic tube 104 is in close contact with the flexible tube 8.

Thus, the above configuration has the following effects. That is, in this embodiment, the heat-shrinkable tube 106 used as the elastic tube 104 can be assembled only by applying heat, so that a special jig for guiding the tube to a predetermined position is not required. Therefore, workability of assembly is good.

FIG. 13 shows a fourth embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment is a first embodiment (see FIGS. 1A and 1B to FIGS. 10A and 10B).
Of the endoscope 1 of the endoscope 1 is changed as follows.

That is, in this embodiment, a flexible tube member 107 is heat-welded to the position where the elastic tube 104 is provided in the first embodiment. The inner diameter of the tube member 107 before welding is the maximum diameter of the insertion portion 2 and the thin portion 137 of the rubber 102.
Of larger diameters are used. The material of the tube member 107 is the same as the material of the flexible tube portion 8, for example, a tube made of polyurethane.

Further, when welding the tube member 107, a heat-shrinkable tube 138 is used. The heat-shrinkable tube 138 has an inner diameter before shrinkage of the tube member 107.
The inner diameter after contraction is larger than the outer diameter of the flexible tube portion 8.
Those having the same or slightly smaller outer diameter dimensions as those described above are used. Other configurations are the same as in the first embodiment.

Next, the operation of the above configuration will be described.
In this embodiment, the tube member 10 is
When assembling 7, the tube member 107 is inserted from the distal end side and arranged at a predetermined position. At this time, a jig such as a work pipe is unnecessary.

Thereafter, the heat-shrinkable tube 138 is covered with the tube member 107 and heated. At this time, the heat-shrinkable tube 138 shrinks and the tube member 107 melts. Finally, the welding is completed by cutting off the excess tube member 107, but the heat-shrinkable tube 1 which has shrunk is
Since the tube member 107 is in close contact with the inner surface of the tube member 38, the outer surface of the tube member 107 after welding is formed smoothly along the inner surface of the tube member 107. Further, the tube member 107 includes the flexible tube portion 8 and the rubber stopper 102.
, No gap is formed between them.

Therefore, in the above structure, the tube member 107 used as the elastic tube 104 of the buckling member 16 can be assembled only by applying heat, and a jig for guiding the tube member to a predetermined position is unnecessary. Because of this, assembly workability is good. The appearance is also smooth.

FIG. 14 shows a fifth embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment is a first embodiment (see FIGS. 1A and 1B to FIGS. 10A and 10B).
Guide member 54 in the bending operation mechanism 17 of the endoscope 1
The structure of the spacer 57 is changed as follows.

That is, in the first embodiment, the configuration is shown in which the independent spacers 57 for regulating the widths of the U-shaped portions 59 of the upper and lower two guide members 54 are provided. The width of each U-shaped portion 59 of the guide member 54 in the direction is regulated by one spacer 108. Here, the spacer 108 of the present embodiment has a spacer portion 10 having a width substantially equal to that of the U-shaped portion 59 of the guide member 54.
9 are continuously provided at two locations in the axial direction, and an engagement groove 110 is provided between them. Each spacer portion 109 is sandwiched between the U-shaped portions 59 of the guide member 54 in each direction, and the U-shaped portions 5 provided in the engagement grooves 110 are provided.
A partition plate 25 is further sandwiched in the center of 9.

Further, at the base of the spacer 108, a regulating projection 111 projecting in the direction of the base plate 24 is formed. The restricting projection 111 is provided on the fixing surface 71 of the engaging member 68.
It is arranged in a state where it abuts substantially. This restricting projection 1
Reference numeral 11 has the same function as the retaining bent portion 67 of the first embodiment. Therefore, the guide bending portion 67 of the first embodiment is attached to the guide member 54 of the present embodiment.
Can be omitted.

The spacer portion 109 is provided with a fixing hole (not shown) which penetrates in the axial direction, and is fixed to the base plate 24 with the fixing screw 57A via the partition plate 25, the guide member 54 and the cover member 27. Have been. Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment.

Next, the operation of the above configuration will be described.
In the present embodiment, at the time of assembling the bending operation mechanism 17, each spacer portion 109 of the spacer 108, which is a single component, is placed between the respective U-shaped portions 59 of the two-way guide member 54 fixed to the engagement member 58. By inserting each, the width of the U-shaped portion 59 in two directions is regulated by a single mounting operation of the spacer 108.

Further, the partition plate 25, the guide member 54, and the cover member 27 are arranged at predetermined positions, and the fixing screws 57A are tightened to fix each member to the main plate 24. At this time, since the restricting convex portion 111 is arranged in a state of being substantially in contact with the fixing surface 71, the rotation supporting portion 79 of the adjusting screw 69 and the engaging member 58 are operated in the same manner as in the first embodiment.
Is not disengaged from the rotation hole 80 and the bending angle setting mechanism 53
And the guide member 54 are maintained in an integrated state. Other operations are the same as those of the first embodiment.

Therefore, in the above-described configuration, one operation for regulating the width of the U-shaped portion 59 of the guide member 54 in two directions is required.
Since the operation can be performed by attaching the spacer 108 twice, the operation at the time of assembling the bending operation mechanism 17 is easy.

Further, in this embodiment, the spacer 10
Since the regulating protrusion 111 for regulating the position of the fixing member 68 is provided on the guide member 8, the retaining member 67 of the first embodiment can be omitted from the guide member 54 of the present embodiment. . Therefore, since the shape of the guide member 54 is simplified, a high-precision part can be manufactured, and the cost is low.

FIGS. 15 and 16 (A), (B)
Shows a sixth embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment is a bending operation mechanism 1 of the endoscope 1 according to the first embodiment (see FIGS. 1A and 1B to FIGS. 10A and 10B).
The configuration in which the spacer 57 in FIG. 7 is integrated with the guide member 54 is changed as follows.

That is, in the present embodiment, when the slackness of the operation wire 39 is removed, the fixing member 113 for integrating the spacer 57 and the guide member 54 is attached. The configuration of the endoscope 1 is the same as that of the fifth embodiment (see FIG. 14) except that the guide member 54 of the present embodiment is not provided with the retaining bent portion 67, as in the fifth embodiment (see FIG. 14). This is the same as the embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 16A, the fixing member 113 attached when removing the slack of the operation wire 39 includes a substantially C-shaped snap portion 114 for fixing the spacer 57 by a snap fit method. U of guide member 54
And a holding portion 115 that is sandwiched and fixed between the character portions 59. Then, the hand-side end of the holding portion 115 is disposed in a state of being substantially in contact with the fixing portion 85 of the screwing member 83.

The spacer 57 has a cylindrical shape.
The shape of the inner peripheral surface of the snap portion 114 of the fixing member 113 is also in accordance with the shape. The other configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment.

Next, the operation of the above configuration will be described.
In the present embodiment, when the operation wire 39 becomes loose, the holding section casing 15 is first removed by the method described in the first embodiment.

Subsequently, the snap portion 11 of the fixing member 113
4 is attached to the spacer 57 by a snap fit method, and the holding portion 115 is held between the U-shaped portions 59 of the guide member 54. As a result, the fixing member 113 is fixed to the guide member 54.
It is not necessary to adhere to and fix to.

Thereafter, the fixing screw 71A fixing the fixing member 68 is removed.
If it becomes an obstacle to the operation of removing the, the holding portion 115 is pulled out from the U-shaped portion 59. At this time, while the snap portion 114 is fixed to the spacer 57 by the snap fit method,
Moreover, since their contact surfaces are circular, the spacer 57
The fixing member 113 rotates about the axis of. After the holding portion 115 of the fixing member 113 is moved to a position where it does not hinder the operation, the fixing screw 71A is removed, and the operation is returned to the original state by the reverse operation.

Next, the fixing screw 57A fixing the spacer 57 is removed. At this time, since the proximal end of the holding portion 115 of the fixing member 113 is substantially in contact with the fixing portion 85, the adjustment screw 6 is formed by the same operation as in the first embodiment.
The engagement between the rotation support portion 79 of FIG. 9 and the rotation hole 80 of the engagement member 58 is not released, and the state where the bending angle setting mechanism 53 and the guide member 54 are integrated is maintained. Other operations are the same as those of the first embodiment.

Therefore, in the above configuration, since the fixing member 113 may be attached only when the slack of the operation wire 39 is removed, the shape of the guide member 54 is simplified, and the weight of the operation section 3 can be reduced. .

Further, since the fixing member 113 is attached with the holding casing 15 removed, there is no need to provide a space for disposing the fixing member 113 inside the holding casing 15. Therefore, the size of the operation unit 3 can be reduced.

FIG. 17 shows a seventh embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment is a first embodiment (see FIGS. 1A and 1B to FIGS. 10A and 10B).
Guide member 54 in the bending operation mechanism 17 of the endoscope 1
The structure of the fixing portion between the shaft and the engaging member 58 is changed as follows.

That is, in this embodiment, the guide member 54 is not provided with the fixed bending surface 55 and the contact bending surface 56 of the first embodiment, but is provided on the engaging member 58 side. A substantially U-shaped notch 118 is provided at an end of the guide member 54 as shown in FIG.

Further, the engaging member 58 is provided with an engaging groove 119 having a shape facing the notch 118 of the guide member 54. Here, the notch 118 and the engagement groove 119
Since they are in contact with each other along the U-shaped guide surface, relative rotation between the engaging member 58 and the guide member 54 becomes impossible.

The guide member 54 has a notch 11
A wide convex portion 120 protruding laterally is formed at a portion engaged with the engaging groove 119 of No. 8. Here, the engagement member 58
A substantially L-shaped retaining member 122 having a contact portion 121 that comes into contact with the convex portion 120 of the guide member 54 when the guide member 54 is pulled out along the U-shaped guide surface is fixed to the guide member 54. The other configuration such as the method of engaging the engaging member 58 with the column 62 is the same as that of the first embodiment.

Next, the operation of the above configuration will be described.
In the present embodiment, when the notch portions 118 of the guide member 54 are inserted into the engagement grooves 119 of the engagement member 58, they are engaged along the U-shaped guide surface, and become relatively unrotatable. Therefore, movement in directions other than the axial direction is restricted.

In this state, when the retaining member 122 is fixed to the engaging member 58, the protrusion 12
The guide member 54 and the engaging member 58 are fixed by the positional relationship between the contact member 121 and the contact portion 121 of the retaining member 122.
Other operations are the same as those of the first embodiment.

Therefore, in the above configuration, since it is not necessary to provide the fixed bent surface 55 and the contact bent surface 56 shown in the first embodiment at the end of the guide member 54, The structure of the member 54 is simple, the accuracy of the parts is stable, and it can be manufactured at low cost.

FIG. 18 shows an eighth embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment is a first embodiment (see FIGS. 1A and 1B to FIGS. 10A and 10B).
Guide member 54 in the bending operation mechanism 17 of the endoscope 1
The structure in which the and the bending angle setting mechanism 53 are integrated is changed as follows.

That is, the guide member 54 of the present embodiment.
Are arranged in two layers in the same manner as in the first embodiment. The guide member 54 includes a spacer 57,
With the partition plate 25 and the cover member 27 arranged at predetermined positions, the partition plate 25 and the cover member 27 are directly screwed and fixed to the fixing surface 71 of the fixing member 68 with the fixing screws 71B as shown in FIG. The guide member 54 of the present embodiment is not provided with the retaining bent portion 67 described in the first embodiment. The other points are the same as in the first embodiment.

Next, the operation of the above configuration will be described.
Since the guide member 54 of the present embodiment is directly screwed and fixed to the fixing surface 71 of the fixing member 68 by the fixing screw 71B, the same operation as in the first embodiment is performed unless the screwing member 83 is removed. The bending angle setting mechanism 53 and the guide member 54 are maintained in an integrated state. Other operations are the same as those of the first embodiment.

Therefore, in the above-described configuration, the bending angle setting mechanism 53 and the guide member 54 can be integrated only by providing the screw holes of the fixing screws 71B on the fixing surface 71 of the fixing member 68. Simplified and inexpensive parts can be manufactured.

FIGS. 19A and 19B show a ninth embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment is the first
1 (A), (B) to FIG. 10 (A),
The structure of the connecting portion between the connecting member 38 and the operation wire 39 in the bending operation mechanism 17 of the endoscope 1 of (B) is changed as follows. Note that the configurations of the connecting member 38 and the engaging member 49 are the same as those of the first embodiment, and thus description thereof is omitted here.

That is, in the present embodiment, the stopper 45
Is provided with a regulating large-diameter portion 124 at the proximal end.
The outer diameter of the regulating large-diameter portion 124 is set to be larger than the width a between the opposed convex portions 44 and smaller than the diameter of the circular groove 132 as shown in FIG.

When the stop member 45 is disposed at a predetermined position, the regulating large-diameter portion 124 has a circular shape perpendicular to the center of the engagement space 43, that is, perpendicular to the center line of the connecting member 38. It is set so as to be disposed on the diameter line of the groove 132. Further, in the present embodiment, the regulating member 51 shown in the first embodiment is not provided. Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment.

Next, the operation of the above configuration will be described.
In the present embodiment, similarly to the first embodiment, the stop member 45 is fixed to the operation wire 39, and the engagement member 49 and the small diameter portion 4 are fixed.
The connecting member 38 and the operation wire 39 are connected by engaging the engaging member 49 with the circular groove 132 in a state where the contact member 7 is in contact with the connecting member 38. At this time, the regulating large diameter portion 124 of the stop member 45
Is disposed at the widest position of the engagement space 43.

When the bending portion 7 is operated to bend, a load is applied to the stop member 45 on the side opposite to the bending direction, as described in the first embodiment, such that the stop member 45 is pushed toward the hand side. Since the diameter of the regulating large-diameter portion 124 is larger than the width a between the opposed convex portions 44, the regulating large-diameter portion 124 does not climb over the convex portions 44. Other operations are the same as those of the first embodiment.

Therefore, in the above configuration, since it is not necessary to provide the regulating member 51 used in the bending operation mechanism 17 of the endoscope 1 of the first embodiment, the number of parts and the number of assembling steps are reduced. Can be reduced.

FIGS. 20A to 20D show a tenth embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment is similar to the first embodiment (FIGS. 1A and 1B to FIG. 10).
(See (A) and (B)) The structure of the connecting portion between the connecting member 38 and the operating wire 39 in the bending operation mechanism 17 of the endoscope 1 is changed as follows.

That is, in the present embodiment, the connecting member 38
The protrusions 44 as in the first embodiment are provided in the engagement spaces 43 of the first embodiment.
Are not formed, but are formed in a substantially rectangular space as shown in FIGS. 20 (B) and 20 (C). The stop member 45 is the same as that of the first embodiment, but the engagement member 49 engaged with the stop member 45 is formed in a shape along the inner surface of the substantially rectangular engagement space 43. The engagement member 49 is slidable in the axial direction in the substantially rectangular engagement space 43.

FIG. 20 (A) and FIG.
As shown in (B), a spacer insertion hole 125 is provided at an end on the tip side of the protrusion 88. The spacer insertion hole 125 communicates with the vicinity of the distal end of the engagement space 43. Further, the width dimension of the spacer insertion hole 125 is set to be the same as the width of the engagement space 43.

An adjusting spacer 127 is provided at the tip end of the engaging member 49. This adjustment spacer 1
27 has a shape similar to that of the spacer insertion hole 125, the outer shape of which is similar to the inner surface of the engagement space 43, similarly to the engagement member 49. Further, a notch 126 having a width slightly larger than the outer diameter of the small diameter portion 47 of the stopper member 45 is formed in the adjustment spacer 127 as shown in FIG.

Further, a ring-shaped urging stopper 128 made of elastic rubber is provided on the distal end side end surface of the connecting member 38 and is provided on the operation wire 39. The inner diameter of the biasing stopper 128 is set smaller than the outer diameter of the operation wire 39. Then, the operation wire 39 is urged in the direction of the insertion portion 2 while the operation wire 39 is urged.
On the other hand, it is fixed by elastic force. In this state, the adjustment spacer 127 is engaged so that at least a part thereof is disposed in the engagement space 43 on the distal end side of the spacer insertion hole 125 and the remaining part is disposed at a position where the adjustment spacer 127 is engaged with the spacer insertion hole 125. The shape of the joint space 43 and the thickness of the adjustment spacer 127 are set.

Note that the adjusting spacer 127 is not provided on the connecting member 38 in the initial assembled state. FIGS. 20A to 20D show a state after the slack of the operation wire 39 is removed. Further, the fixing between the urging stopper 128 and the operation wire 39 may be performed not only by its elastic force but also by using an adhesive or the like.

Next, the operation of the above configuration will be described.
In the present embodiment, when the operation wire 39 becomes loose, first, the urging stopper 128 is shifted to the insertion portion 2 side.
The connecting member 38 is pulled out to the distal end side and adjusted so that the chain member 29 is not slackened. By doing so, the slackness of the operation wire 39, the stop member 45, and the engagement member 49 move in the engagement space 43 to the near side.

Subsequently, the adjusting spacer 127 is inserted into the engagement space 43 from the notch 126 side through the spacer insertion hole 125 by the slack amount of the operation wire 39. Thereby, the fixed position of the operation wire 39 with respect to the connecting member 38 is drawn relatively toward the hand, and the slack of the operation wire 39 is removed.

Lastly, the urging stopper 128 is brought into contact with the connecting member 38 in a state where the operating wire 39 is urged in the distal direction, and is fixed to the operating wire 39 by the elastic force of the urging stopper 128. I do. As a result, the stop member 45, the engagement member 49, and the adjustment spacer 127 become immovable in the engagement space 43.

Further, at this time, since the adjustment spacer 127 on the most distal end is disposed at a position not facing the spacer insertion hole 125, the adjustment spacer 127 drops off through the spacer insertion hole 125. Never. Here, even when two adjustment spacers 127 are inserted, the adjustment spacers 12 disposed second from the distal end side are also used.
7 is disposed closer to the hand than the spacer insertion hole 125, and thus does not fall out of the spacer insertion hole 125.

Therefore, in the above configuration, the adjusting spacer 127 is cut out by the amount of the slack of the operation wire 39 and the engagement space 4 is inserted from the side of the notch 126 through the spacer insertion hole 125.
Since the slack of the operation wire 39 is removed by inserting the wire into the operation wire 3, the slack of the operation wire 39 can be removed without pulling out the connecting member 38 to the side. for that reason,
The work becomes easier.

Further, by setting the width of the adjusting spacer 127 to be smaller than the width of the U-shaped portion 59 of the guide member 54, the operation wire 39 can be adjusted without removing the guide member 54.

FIG. 21 shows an eleventh embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment is a first embodiment (see FIGS. 1A and 1B to FIGS. 10A and 10B).
The structure of the connecting portion between the connecting member 38 and the operating wire 39 in the bending operation mechanism 17 of the endoscope 1 is changed as follows.

That is, in the present embodiment, the stopper 4
5, the configuration of the engagement member 49 and the adjustment spacer 127 is the first configuration.
0 (see FIGS. 20 (A) to 20 (D)), except that the urging stopper 128 of the tenth embodiment is not provided. In the present embodiment, a coil spring 129 for urging the stopper member 45 in the distal direction is provided in the engagement space 43 on the hand side of the stopper member 45 instead of the urging stopper 128. Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment.

Next, the operation of the above configuration will be described.
In the present embodiment, when the operation wire 39 becomes loose, the engaging member 49 is pushed toward the hand against the urging force of the coil spring 129. As a method of pushing, the spacer insertion hole 125 is used.
This is performed by a method such as inserting a screwdriver from below, or pushing the operation wire 39 toward the hand.

Subsequently, the adjustment spacer 127 is inserted into the engagement space 43 through the spacer insertion hole 125 in the same manner as in the tenth embodiment, by the slack of the operation wire 39. Thus, the slack of the operation wire 39 is removed by the same operation as in the tenth embodiment.

At this time, the stopping member 45 and the engaging member 4
9. The adjustment spacer 127 is immovable in the engagement space 43 by the urging force of the coil spring 129. Further, at this time, the adjustment spacer 127 and the spacer insertion hole 1
Since the positional relationship with 25 is the same as that of the tenth embodiment, the adjusting spacer 127 does not fall off through the spacer insertion hole 125.

Therefore, in the above configuration, the tenth
In addition to the same effects as the embodiment, the urging stopper 128
Since the operation of changing the position of the
The work of removing the slack of 9 is further facilitated.

Further, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and it goes without saying that various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Next, other characteristic technical matters of the present application will be additionally described as follows. (Additional Item 1) A flexible tube constituting an insertion portion, a curved portion connected to a distal end of the flexible tube, an operation portion connected to a rear end of the flexible tube, and disposed inside the operation portion. A bent base plate, a bending operation mechanism fixed to the base plate, and performing a bending operation on the bending portion; a transmission mechanism inserted into the insertion portion to transmit the bending operation by the bending operation mechanism to the bending portion; In an endoscope having a connecting member for connecting an operating mechanism, a means for integrally joining at least two of components constituting a bending operating mechanism disposed around the connecting member is provided, and the endoscope is integrally joined. An endoscope wherein a member is detachable from a base plate.

(Additional Item 2) A guide member disposed on the side of the connecting member for regulating the position of the connecting member in the operating portion and a bending angle setting mechanism for setting the bending angle of the bending portion are integrally formed. 2. The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the endoscope is joined.

(Additional Item 3) The endoscope according to additional items 1 and 2, wherein two guide members for regulating the position of the connecting member in at least two directions are integrally joined.

(Additional Item 4) An additional item wherein the guide member is formed by bending a flat plate into a U-shape, and a spacer member for regulating the width of the U-shaped portion is integrally joined to the guide member. The endoscope according to claim 1 or 2.

(Supplementary Item 5) At least two of the components constituting the bending operation mechanism are joined to an engaging member that can be fixedly engaged with the strut while fixing the strut to the main plate so that it cannot be detached. The endoscope according to any one of additional items 1 and 2, which is characterized in that:

(Additional Item 6) The endoscope according to Additional Item 5, wherein guide members in at least two directions are joined to the engaging member.

(Additional Item 7) A groove for engaging the guide member is provided in the engagement member to engage the guide member, and a retaining member for preventing the guide member from coming off is fixed to the engagement member. 5. The endoscope according to claim 5, wherein

(Additional Item 8) The endoscope according to Additional Item 5, further comprising means for rotatably supporting the engaging member with respect to the shaft of the column, and providing means for restricting the rotation operation.

(Appendix 9) An endoscope according to appendix 8, wherein the rotation operation is defined by screwing and fixing at least a part of the bending operation mechanism joined to the engaging member to the main plate. mirror.

(Appendix 10) A means for engaging and fixing a part of the bending angle setting mechanism to the engaging member, and for holding and releasing the engagement between the engaging member and the bending angle setting member is provided. An endoscope according to claim 5, characterized in that:

(Additional Item 11) The bending angle setting member is constituted by a fixing portion fixed to the base plate and a setting portion for setting the bending angle, and a holding member for regulating the positional relationship between the fixing portion and the setting portion is fixed to the substrate portion. In addition, the engagement state between the bending angle setting member and the engagement member is held when the holding member is fixed, and the holding state can be released by removing the holding member. Endoscope.

(Additional Item 12) A setting portion of a bending angle setting member having a guide member joined to the engaging member, an engaging portion capable of engaging with the engaging member from only one direction, A board part movable relatively to the direction and a holding member for regulating the relative position between the setting part and the board part are provided, and a convex part for regulating the movement of the board part in the engaging direction is provided on the guide member. 13. The endoscope according to any one of additional items 10 and 11, wherein

(Prior Art of Additional Items 1 to 12) Additional Item 1
Japanese Patent Publication No. 63-34643 and Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 2-43361 disclose the prior arts.

(Problems to be Solved by Additional Items 1 to 12) Problems of Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 63-34643 If the wire is slackened by repeatedly bending the bending portion, the bending portion is required to operate the angle operation knob. Causes a knob play phenomenon that does not follow, and a phenomenon that a desired bending angle cannot be obtained. In this case, it is necessary to remove the slack of the wire at the connecting member connecting the wire and the chain. In this case, a partition for forming a wall portion, a stopper, a screw for controlling the maximum bending angle, and a passage for the connecting member. Each wall had to be removed individually and the work was troublesome.

Problems of Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 2-43361 Since a member for setting the maximum bending angle and a partition for forming a passage for the connecting portion are integrally formed by one member, the shape of the component is complicated. Become. Further, by setting the maximum bending angle, the partitioning part also moves along the axis of the wire, so it is necessary to provide a space in the operating part to absorb the movement, and the operating part becomes larger. There was a problem of doing. Further, in an endoscope that can be bent in four directions, the connecting members in two directions are usually arranged in a state of being stacked in two stages. When the two-way bending angle setting section is integrated with the above member, only the setting of the bending angle in each of the two directions can be performed, and there is a problem that a desired bending angle cannot be obtained. In addition, in the case where the above members are provided in each direction, in addition to the need to provide the above space portions, the fixing positions of the respective members to the substrate also need to be performed at positions that do not interfere with each other including the adjustment range. In addition, there is a problem that the operation unit becomes larger.

(Purposes of Additional Items 1 to 12) Additional Items 1 to 1
A second object is to provide an endoscope that can easily remove slack generated in a bending operation wire without increasing the size of an operation unit.

(Operation of Supplementary Items 1 to 12) When the slack of the operation wire is removed, the components constituting the bending operation mechanism disposed around the connecting member are attached and detached in an integrated state. Further, since the members to be integrated can be manufactured individually as in the past, the parts are processed as before.

(Effects of Additional Items 1 to 12) Additional Items 1 to 1
An advantage of the second aspect is that an endoscope that can easily remove a slack generated in the bending operation wire without increasing the size of the operation unit is provided.

(Additional Item 13) A flexible tube constituting the insertion portion, an operation portion fixed to the rear end of the flexible tube, and a flexible tube provided at the operation portion side end of the flexible tube. An endoscope having a buckling prevention member for preventing buckling, wherein a fixing member for fixing the buckling member to the flexible tube is provided only at an insertion portion side end of the buckling member. Endoscope.

(Additional Item 14) The endoscope according to Additional Item 13, wherein the fixing member is constituted by an elastic tube.

(Additional Item 15) The endoscope according to additional item 14, wherein the inner diameter of the elastic tube is smaller than the inner diameter of the end of the buckling member.

(Additional Item 16) The endoscope according to Additional Item 13, wherein the fixing member is constituted by a heat-shrinkable tube.

(Appendix 17) The inner diameter of the heat-shrinkable tube before contraction is set to be larger than the outer diameter of the end of the buckling member, and the inner diameter after contraction is set to be smaller than the outer diameter of the flexible tube. 19. The endoscope according to claim 16, wherein

(Additional Item 18) The endoscope according to additional items 14 and 16, wherein the fixing member, the fold-preventing member, and the contact portion of the flexible tube are bonded and fixed.

(Additional Item 19) The additional item 18 is characterized in that the inner diameter of the fixing member is set larger than the outer diameter of the flexible tube.
The endoscope as described.

(Additional Item 20) An additional item 13 in which the fixing member is formed of a flexible tube member, and the tube member is fixed by heat welding.
The endoscope as described.

(Supplementary note 21) The heat-shrinkable tube is provided on the outer periphery of the tube member, and the tube member is heat-welded by heating and melting the tube member via the heat-shrinkable tube. Endoscope.

(Additional Item 22) The endoscope according to Additional Item 20, wherein the material of the tube member is the same as the material of the flexible tube.

(Additional Item 23) The endoscope according to Additional Item 13, wherein a step is provided at a position where the fixing member of the bending-preventing member is fixed, and a thin-walled portion is formed on the tip side from the step.

(Additional Item 24) The endoscope according to Additional Item 23, wherein the depth of the step is substantially the same as the thickness of the fixing member.

(Supplementary Note 25) A state in which the inside diameter of the flexible tube side end of the bending-preventing member is larger than the outside diameter of the flexible tube, and the end of the breaking-preventing member is urged in the direction of the flexible tube by the fixing member. Item 14. The endoscope according to Item 13, wherein the endoscope is fixed.

(Prior Art of Supplementary Items 13 to 25) Conventional technologies of Supplementary Items 13 to 25 include Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 63-288128 and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 6-319676.

(Problems to be Solved by Additional Items 13 to 25) Problems of Japanese Utility Model Application Laid-Open No. 63-288128 Since a gap is provided between the insertion portion and the fold-preventing member, it is easy to attach and detach the fold-preventive member. Becomes However, since dirt enters the gap, it is necessary to wash and disinfect the inner surface of the folding-stopping member, and there is a problem in that operations such as injection of a cleaning solution or a disinfectant into the gap are troublesome.

Problems with JP-A-6-319676 The fold-preventing cover member is provided so as to cover the entire fold-preventing member, and the end face of the fold-preventing member on the side of the insertion portion is bonded and fixed. In this case, the fold-preventing cover member needs to have a shape along the outer surface of the fold-preventing member, and it is necessary to make it thinner so as not to increase the outer diameter.
There was a problem that it would be expensive. In addition, when the endoscope needs to be attached or detached for repair of the endoscope, it is necessary to remove the fold-preventing cover member. However, since the fold-preventing cover member is adhered, it cannot be reused. Therefore, at the time of repair, it is necessary to prepare an expensive new fold-preventing cover as described above, and there has been a problem that the repair cost increases. Furthermore, since the parts themselves are large, it is troublesome to manage the parts.Especially when a field engineer attaches or detaches the fold-prevention part in a hospital, it is necessary to carry a plurality of types of fold-prevention cover members, Was hindered.

(Purpose of Additional Items 13 to 25) Additional Item 13
It is an object of the present invention to provide an endoscope having an inexpensive and easily attachable / detachable buckling member having high adhesion to an insertion portion.

(Operation of Supplementary Items 13 to 25) Since the fixing member fixes only the end portion on the insertion portion side of the fold-preventing member, the fixing member can be miniaturized, and the shape is simple and inexpensive. When removing the buckling member, the fixing member is removed. As a result, the fixed state of the bending stopper and the flexible tube is released, and the bending stopper can be removed.

(Effects of Additional Items 13 to 25) Additional Item 13
The effects of Nos. To 25 are to provide an endoscope having a high-adhesion to the insertion portion, an inexpensive and highly detachable folding stopper.

(Additional Item 26) A flexible tube constituting the insertion portion, a bending portion connected to the distal end of the flexible tube, and a bending portion connected to the rear end of the flexible tube for bending the bending portion. In an endoscope having an operation section having an operation mechanism and an operation wire having one end fixed to the distal end of the bending section and the other end connected to the bending operation mechanism, a regulation fixed to the operation section side end of the operation wire A member and a connecting member that constitutes a part of the bending operation mechanism and is engaged and fixed to the regulating member are provided, and the regulating member and the connecting member can be engaged at a plurality of positions along the axial direction of the operation wire. An endoscope having a simple space.

(Supplementary Note 27) A stopper member fixed to the end of the operation wire of the operation wire, and a stopper member whose movement is restricted in the proximal direction and which is movable by an engagement member movable in the insertion portion direction. 27. The endoscope according to claim 26, wherein a stopper is provided for engaging the engaging member with the connecting member and restricting the movement of the stop member toward the hand side.

(Additional Item 28) An engaging member having a cylindrical shape and having a hole penetrating in a direction substantially perpendicular to its axis, a small-diameter portion smaller in diameter than the hole portion, and a large-diameter portion larger in diameter than the hole portion. Then, a regulating member constituted by a stopper member in which the small-diameter portion is inserted into the hole while the large-diameter portion is arranged on the hand side, and a circular groove having substantially the same diameter as the engaging member are formed in the axial direction of the operation wire. 28. The endoscope according to claim 27, wherein the endoscope is constituted by a connecting member continuously provided along the circular groove and a cylindrical stopper having substantially the same diameter as the circular groove.

(Additional Item 29) The endoscope according to Additional Item 28, wherein the hole is penetrated through the center of the cylindrical engaging member.

(Supplementary item 30) The supplementary item 28, wherein the outer diameter of the stopper is formed to be slightly larger than the diameter of the circular groove portion, and the stopper is fixed to the circular groove portion by press-fitting the circular groove portion. Endoscope.

(Additional Item 31) An additional item 28, wherein the circular groove portion is provided so as not to penetrate the connecting member, and an elongated hole having a width smaller than the diameter of the circular groove is provided on the closed side surface of the connecting member.
The endoscope as described.

(Prior Art of Supplementary Items 26 to 31) The prior art of Supplementary Items 26 to 31 is described in Jpn.
And Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 4-11686 and Utility Model Registration No. 2535004.

(Problems to be Solved by Supplementary Notes 26 to 31) Problems of Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 51-43030 A method of removing a slack of a wire by mounting an adjustment ring in a relaxation remover is disclosed. I have. However, in this case, the adjusting ring and the moving member can move freely along the axial direction of the wire in the relaxation remover. As a result, there is a problem in that the wire is caught in the relaxation remover and excessive tension is applied to the wire, so that the bending angle is not stable. Further, in order not to increase the size of the operation unit, it is necessary to set the adjustment ring to be small.

Problem of Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 4-11686 [0217] A first connecting member fixed to the end of the operating wire on the insertion portion side, and a second connecting member fixed to the end of the operating wire on the operating portion side. A structure is shown in which the members are fixed by pins and E-rings or snap wires, and the fixing positions thereof can be adjusted. Also in this lifting, the pin and the E-ring or the snap wire need to be set small, so that there is a problem that the workability of adjusting the fixed position is poor.

Problems of Utility Model Registration No. 2535004 In this case, fixing by screws is shown in addition to fixing by pins similar to the above. Also in this case, it is necessary to use a small screw, so that the work of adjusting the fixed position needs to be performed carefully, as in the above case. Furthermore, when the screw is loosened, the wire is likely to be loosened because the fixed position of the wire is shifted.

(Purpose of Additional Items 26 to 31) Additional Item 26
It is an object of the present invention to provide an endoscope which can easily remove a slack generated in a bending operation wire without affecting a bending function.

(Operation of Supplementary Items 26 to 31) The operation wire and the bending operation mechanism are connected by engaging and fixing the regulating member and the connecting member. In addition, since the engagement can be performed at a plurality of positions along the axial direction of the operation wire, when the operation wire becomes loose, it is removed by changing the engagement position. Further, since the regulating member is fixed to the operation wire, it is not necessary to attach or detach a fine member at the time of adjustment, and when the regulating member is engaged with the connecting member, the operation can be performed even if the operation wire is held. .

(Effects of Additional Items 26 to 31) Additional Item 26
The effects of -31 are to provide an endoscope that can easily remove the slack generated in the bending operation wire without affecting the bending function.

[0222]

According to the present invention, the unit of the bending operation mechanism, which is a unit formed by integrally joining a plurality of components constituting the bending operation mechanism disposed around the connecting member, with respect to the base plate. Since it is detachably provided, it is possible to easily remove the slack generated in the bending operation wire without increasing the size of the operation unit.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of the present invention;
1A is a schematic configuration diagram of the entire endoscope, and FIG. 1B is a perspective view showing a peripheral portion of a distal end component.

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view showing an internal configuration of an operation unit in the endoscope according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of a main part of a bending operation mechanism in the endoscope according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of a main part of the endoscope according to the first embodiment, taken along a central axis of the bending operation knob;

FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of a main part showing an internal configuration of a part covered by a holding part casing in the endoscope according to the first embodiment.

6A and 6B show a connecting member of the endoscope according to the first embodiment, wherein FIG. 6A is a side view of one side, FIG. 6B is a longitudinal sectional view showing an internal configuration, and FIG. The side view of the other side part side.

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of a detachable unit of the bending operation mechanism in the endoscope according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 8A is a side view showing a screwed state of the attachment / detachment unit of the bending operation mechanism in the endoscope according to the first embodiment, and FIG. 8B is a longitudinal section of a column portion of the attachment / detachment unit of the bending operation mechanism; FIG.

FIG. 9 is a longitudinal sectional view of a main part of the endoscope according to the first embodiment, showing a state in which the treatment instrument raising base is inverted.

FIG. 10A is a vertical cross-sectional view of the endoscope according to the first embodiment in the vicinity of a connection portion between a fold-preventing member and a holding portion casing, and FIG. The longitudinal section of the important section showing an end.

FIG. 11 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a main part showing an end of a bending-stopping member on a flexible tube side in an endoscope according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a main part showing an end on a flexible tube side of a buckling member in an endoscope according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a longitudinal sectional view of a main part showing an end of a bending-stopping member on a flexible tube side in an endoscope according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a vertical cross-sectional view illustrating a main configuration of a detachable unit of a bending operation mechanism in an endoscope according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a vertical cross-sectional view illustrating a main configuration of a detachable unit of a bending operation mechanism in an endoscope according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

16A is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA of FIG. 15, FIG.
FIG. 17 is a sectional view taken along line BB of FIG.

FIG. 17 is a vertical cross-sectional view illustrating a main configuration of a detachable unit of a bending operation mechanism in an endoscope according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a main configuration of a detachable unit of a bending operation mechanism in an endoscope according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 19 shows a ninth embodiment of the present invention.
(A) is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing the internal configuration of the connecting member, (B) is a side view of one side of the connecting member.

FIGS. 20A and 20B show a tenth embodiment of the present invention, in which FIG. 20A is a side view of one side of the connecting member, FIG. 20B is a longitudinal sectional view showing the internal structure of the connecting member, and FIG. 20) is a side view of the other side of the connecting member, and (D) is a cross-sectional view taken along line CC of FIG. 20 (B).

FIG. 21 is a longitudinal sectional view showing an internal configuration of a connecting member according to an eleventh embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 2 Insertion part 3 Operation part 7 Bending part 8 Flexible tube part 17 Bending operation mechanism 24 Main plate 38 Connecting member 39 Operation wire 53 Bending angle setting mechanism (component) 54 Guide member (component) 57 Spacer (component)

Claims (1)

[Claims] An operating portion connected to a base end of the elongated insertion portion; a curved portion connected to a distal end of a flexible tube forming the insertion portion; and a base plate disposed inside the operation portion. A bending operation mechanism for bending the bending portion is provided, and an operation wire inserted into the insertion portion to transmit a bending operation by the bending operation mechanism to the bending portion; An endoscope having a connecting member for connecting to a bending operation mechanism, wherein a bending operation in which a plurality of components constituting the bending operation mechanism disposed around the connection member are integrally joined to form a unit. An endoscope, wherein a constituent unit of a mechanism is detachably provided to the base plate.