JPH0426081Y2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Purpose of the Invention] (Field of Industrial Application) This invention relates to an endoscope with an improved connection structure between the operating section main body and the proximal end of the insertion section.

(Prior Art) In endoscopes, the proximal end of the insertion section is connected to the operating section main body. Conventionally, a technique as disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 142004/1983 has been used for a connection structure between the operating section main body of the endoscope and the proximal end of the insertion section. In this case, one tapered part is provided on either the inner circumference or the outer circumference of the insertion part side end of the operation part main body, and the other taper part that fits with the one taper part is provided at the proximal end of the insertion part. A structure in which a taper portion is provided is used, and after the two taper portions are butted together, they are tightened with a fixing member to fix the operation portion main body and the base end portion of the insertion portion.

(Problem to be solved by the invention) However, in the above conventional connection structure between the operation part main body and the proximal end of the insertion part, when the tapered parts are abutted against each other and are tightened by the fixing member, it is impossible to completely If the tightening is incomplete before tightening, rattling or misalignment will occur at the butt portions of the tapered parts, and the light guide, image guide, and other built-in items that are already placed inside the operation unit body may be damaged. There was a risk of damage to the end surface of the insertion section of the main body.

This invention was made with attention to such problems, and provides an endoscope in which the proximal end of the insertion section can be easily connected to the operation section main body without damaging the built-in components. The purpose is to

[Structure of the idea]

(Means and effects for solving the problem) In this endoscope, the insertion tube connecting tube is attached to either the inner circumference or the outer circumference of the insertion tube side end of the insertion tube connecting tube. One tapered part and one cylindrical part coaxial with the central axis are provided, and the proximal end of the insertion part is provided with the other tapered part that fits into the one taper part and the other which fits into the one cylindrical part. By providing a cylindrical part and fixing the insertion part side end of the insertion part connecting cylinder and the proximal end of the insertion part with a fixing member, the tapered parts of the insertion part and the insertion part connecting cylinder can be connected to each other, and the cylindrical The parts fit together, reducing rattling and misalignment between the two parts.

(Example) This invention will be described below based on a first example shown in FIGS. 1 to 4. FIG. 3 shows a schematic configuration of the endoscope, in which 1 is an operating section, 2 is an insertion section formed by connecting a curved section 4 and a tip structure section 5 in series to the distal end of a flexible tube 3, and 6 is a universal cord. It is. The operating section 1 includes an operating section main body 7 shown in FIG.
and a casing 8 made of a synthetic resin material that covers and encloses the casing 8. Furthermore, the casing 8 has a two-part structure including a hollow box-shaped casing main body 9 and a cylindrical grip cover 10, which are joined so that their hollow parts communicate with each other. The casing body 9 is provided with an air/water supply control member 11 and a suction control member 12. In addition, the operation unit main body 7 has a pair of frames 15, 15 connected to one end of a long and thin metal base plate 13 through a pair of bent pieces 14 with screws, as shown in FIG. Attach the metal plate 17 to L
It is constructed by screwing into a shape. Although not shown, the operating section main body 7 is fixed by sandwiching the head side wall of the casing main body 9 between a metal plate 17 and a metal plate 19 to which the eyepiece section 18 is assembled. In this way, the base plate 13 is disposed across the casing body 9 and the grip cover 10. Note that the frames 15, 15 are arranged inside the grip cover 10, and the eyepiece section 18 is exposed to the outside from the casing body 9. Further, a bending operation mechanism 20 is attached to the main plate 13, and a bending operation knob 22 is attached to an operating shaft 21 exposed to the outside from the casing body 9.
is provided.

The base end of the universal cord 6 is connected to a casing lid body 23 made of a synthetic resin material provided on the part of the casing body 9 opposite to the bending operation knob 22, and is also inserted into the frames 15, 15 as described below. The insertion section 2 is connected to the insertion section 2 through the section connection cylinder 24.
The proximal end portion 40 of the endoscope is connected to constitute the outer shell of the endoscope. Note that an opening 25 is provided at a portion of the casing main body 9 to which the casing lid 23 is attached so as to face the operating section main body 7. on the other hand,
Inside the insertion section 2, a light guide 26, an image guide 27, a channel 28, an air supply tube 29,
A water supply tube 30 etc. is built-in. and,
Of these, the light guide 26 connects the tip component 5 and the light guide tube 31 provided at the connector 6a of the universal cord 6, and the image guide 27
connects the tip component 5 and the eyepiece 18 so that the light provided from the light guide tube 31 can be used for illumination for observation. The channel 28 has one end open to the distal end component 5 and the other end attached to a gathering part of a three-way pipe joint 32 arranged inside the grip cover 10. One branch part of the three-way pipe joint 32 is a channel inlet/outlet part 33 provided at the end of the grip cover 10 on the insertion part 2 side.
In addition, the other branch is connected to a suction tube 34 and guided to a suction mouthpiece 35 provided on the connector 6a via the suction control member 12, and the treatment instrument is connected using one channel 28. In addition to inserting the device, it is also possible to perform suction. In addition, 32a, 32a shows the intermediate connection part by the three-way pipe joint 32. Furthermore, the air supply tube 29 and the water supply tube 30 have one end open to the tip component 5, and the other end connected to the air supply pipe 37 provided in the connector 6a via the air/water supply control member 11, and the water supply tube 37. It is connected to a cap 38, and can supply air and water. In addition, 39 and 39 show the intermediate joint part in the air supply tube 29 and the water supply tube 30. The bending operation mechanism 2 is located inside the insertion section 2.
0, and operating wires 36, 36 connected to the distal end side of the curved portion 4 are inserted, and by operating the curve operation knob 22, the curved portion 4 can be curved.

This invention is applied to the connection between the insertion section 2 of the endoscope configured as described above and the insertion section connecting cylinder 24, and the structure around the connection section is shown in detail in FIG. .

To explain the structure around the connection part, 15 is the above-mentioned frame, 10 is a grip cover provided with a channel inlet/output part 33, 32 is a three-way pipe joint, 24 is a cylinder for connecting the insertion part, and 40 is an insertion part. This is the proximal end of part 2. First, the connection structure between the proximal end 40 of the insertion section 2 and the end of the insertion section connection cylinder 24 on the insertion section 2 side will be described. It is configured to have a diameter larger than the outer diameter, and the inner circumference of the end on the side of the insertion section 2 has an inner diameter that is coaxial with the central axis of the insertion section connecting cylinder 24 and goes from the distal end to the proximal end. One tapered portion 41 and one fitting portion (one cylindrical portion) 64 are integrally provided.
On the other hand, the outer periphery of the proximal end 40 of the insertion section 2 is coaxial with the central axis of the insertion section 2, and the one tapered section 4
1 and the other tapered part 42 (the other tapered part 42 whose outer diameter increases from the distal end to the proximal end) are integrally provided. The other fitting part (the other cylindrical part) 65 having the same diameter as the outer diameter and fitting into the one fitting part 64 is integrally provided. and,
The insertion portion connecting cylinder 24 is inserted from the distal end side of the insertion portion 2 until the tapered portions 41 and 42 of the two are fitted together. Further, a threaded portion 41a is provided on the outer periphery of the proximal end portion 40 of the insertion portion 2, which is a point above the one tapered portion 41 of the insertion portion connecting cylinder 24 whose movement is regulated. This threaded part 41
A retaining ring 43 as a fixing member is screwed toward the insertion portion connecting cylinder 24 side, and the retaining ring 4
The insertion portion 2 and the insertion portion connecting cylinder body 24 are connected by tightening the tapered portions 41 and 42 together. Note that 44 is a ring-shaped elastic packing interposed between the tapered portions 41 and 42 to ensure watertightness.

The frame 15 of the operating section main body 7 is fixed to the base end of the insertion section connecting cylinder 24 connected in this way with a set screw 45, and the frame 15 is also gripped onto the base end of the previous stage from the fixing point. The tip of the cover 10 is fixed. Here, the grip cover 10
Regarding the fixing structure, the grip cover 10 is inserted from the distal end side of the insertion section 2 and placed on the casing main body 9 side, and when placed on the casing main body 9 side, the distal end part is connected to the insertion section connecting tube. body 2
4 and in front of the set screw 45. And this grip cover 10
The structure is such that the tip is pressed against the casing main body 9 side and fixed. That is, in addition to forming a receiving portion 46 consisting of an annular protruding strip extending toward the center over the entire circumference on the inner peripheral surface of the opening on the tip side of the grip cover 10, an insertion portion corresponding to the receiving portion 46 is formed. A thread 47 is formed on the outer periphery of the connecting cylinder 24.
Then, a nut-shaped tightening member 48 is screwed onto this male thread 47, and the receiving portion 46 is attached to the casing main body 9.
By pressing the gripping cover 10 to the side with the tightening member 48, the gripping cover 10 is pressed and tightened against the casing body 9 fixed by the two metal plates 17 and 19. Simultaneously with the fixing, the operating section main body 7 is pulled by the reaction force of the tightening and fixing, creating a resistance force against bending of the operating section main body 7, thereby increasing the rigidity of the operating section main body 7.

The light guide 26, the image guide 27, the operating wires 36, 36, the air tube 29, and the water tube 30 are connected to the casing body 9 through the insertion portion connecting cylinder 24 and the grip cover 10.
In addition to being guided to the side, a three-way fitting 32 attached to the channel 28 is guided into the gripping cover 10. Here, the area around the three-way pipe joint 32 and the channel input/output portion 3 connected to the three-way pipe joint 32 are
3, the three-way pipe joint 32 has a set screw 5 on the inner surface of the proximal side of the insertion portion connecting cylinder 24.
0 and 50, with the channel 28 facing toward the tip side, and the branch portions facing toward the operating section 1 and the side of the grip cover 10, respectively. A branched portion of the three-way joint 32 facing toward the rear end is connected to the suction tube 34, forming the intermediate connecting portion 32a. On the other hand, the channel entry/exit portion 33 is composed of an attachment opening body 51 formed integrally with the grip cover 10, and a channel opening body 52 that is freely inserted into the attachment opening body 51. The attachment port body 51 is arranged at such a position that, when the grip cover 10 is fixed, its base side opening faces the opening 63 of the remaining branch portion of the three-way pipe joint 32. In addition, the channel mouth body 52 is configured with a cylindrical elastic seal layer 53 provided on the inner circumferential surface on the distal end side, and the channel mouth body 52 and the three-way pipe joint are prevented from coming into close contact with the elastic seal layer 53 and the branch portion upon insertion. 32 are communicated with each other without any gaps. Then, as shown in FIG.
A groove 55 for receiving the rotation stopper 54 is provided on the outer periphery of the rear end on the second side, and the channel mouth body 52 is connected to the opening 63 of the branch part of the three-way pipe joint 32 by a bayonet. It is fixed by a nut-shaped tightening member 56 screwed onto the outer periphery of the channel opening 52 on the front stage of the rotation stopper 54, and the channel opening 52 is mounted with a simple structure. However, 57 is a plug body with a slit in the center attached to the rear end of the channel mouth body 52;
is a ring-shaped elastic packing interposed between the channel opening 52 and the attachment opening 51.

In addition, 59 is a cylindrical watertight cover covered with the insertion part connecting cylinder 24, 60 is a snap formed from a relatively hard elastic member, and the operation part 1 side of the watertight cover 59 is the end thereof. Holding a portion of the cover 10
It is fitted into the open end of the ring and is connected watertightly via a ring-shaped elastic packing 49. In addition, the base of the snap stop 60 is screwed into the insertion section 2 side end of the insertion section connecting cylinder 24 through a connecting tube 61, and the end surface of the stop stop 60 is made watertight by screwing. It is joined to the cover 59. However, 62 is a ring-shaped elastic packing interposed between the watertight cover 59 and the insertion portion connecting cylinder 24.

Next, the assembly method will be explained. First, light guide 26, image guide 2
7. Prepare the insertion section 2 containing the channel 28 to which the three-way joint 32 is attached. At this time, the proximal end side of each built-in object extends from the proximal end of the insertion portion 2, respectively. Then, the end side of each built-in item is guided to the operating section main body 7. Thereafter, the insertion section connecting cylinder 24 and the retaining ring 43 are sequentially inserted from the distal end side to the proximal end side of the insertion section 2. With this insertion, the insertion part connecting cylinder 24 is smoothly guided through the one fitting part 64 and the other fitting part 65 of the insertion part 2 as a guide without any rattling or displacement, and the tapered part 41,
42 is fitted, its movement is restricted.
After that, by screwing the retaining ring 43 into the threaded part 41a, the insertion part 2 and the insertion part connecting cylinder 24 are connected to each other.
At the same time, internal components such as a light guide 26, an image guide 27, and a channel 28 are inserted into the insertion portion connecting cylinder 24.

After that, the three-way pipe joint 32 is screwed to the inner surface of the insertion section connecting cylinder 24, and the remaining end of the insertion section connecting cylinder 24 is connected to each frame 15 of the operating section main body 7 to which the casing main body 9 is connected. , 15 and set screw 4
5, the three-way pipe joint 32, each air supply tube 29, water supply tube 30, and the operation part 1
Side suction tube 34, air/water supply tube 2
Combine 9 and 30. Next, the grip cover 10
is inserted into the casing body 9 from the distal end side of the insertion part 2, and then, by screwing the tightening member 48 into the male thread 47 toward the receiving part 46 side, the grip cover is tightened while applying a tensile force to the operating part body 7. 10 is sandwiched and fixed between the casing body 9 and the tightening member 48. As a result, the three-way pipe joint 32
The attachment port body 51 is positioned at the remaining branch part.
Then, a channel opening 52 is attached to this mounting opening 51.
, and connect the channel mouth body 52 to the branch part of the three-way pipe joint 32 by bayonet operation. At the same time, the rotation stopper 54 is attached, and the tightening member 56 is screwed onto the shaft on the rear end side of the channel mouth body 52. By inserting it, the channel mouth body 52 is tightened and fixed. After that, in addition to covering the outer periphery of the insertion part connecting cylinder 24 with a watertight cover 59 and connecting it to the grip cover 10, a snap stop 60 is attached to the end of the insertion part connecting cylinder 24 on the side of the insertion part 2. , the assembly around the base of the insertion section 2 is completed.

Thus, from the above, when connecting the insertion section 2 and the insertion section connection cylinder 24, the tapered section 4
In addition to fitting the comrades 1 and 42, the fitting parts 64 and 65
The insertion part 2 and the insertion part connection cylinder 2 are fitted together.
This reduces rattling and misalignment between the insertion part 2 and the insertion part 4, and improves the installation stability. The connecting cylinder 24 can be connected. Furthermore, in the conventional technology, if the insertion section 2 and the insertion section connecting cylinder 24 are forcibly tightened with the retaining ring 43 while there is looseness or misalignment between the insertion section 2 and the insertion section connecting cylinder 24, the proximal end of the insertion section 2 There is a concern that the section 40 may get wedged in the end of the insertion section connecting tube 24 on the insertion section 2 side, but this idea prevents looseness between the insertion section 2 and the insertion section connecting tube 24. Since the deviation can be reduced, such problems can also be eliminated. Further, since the insertion section connecting cylinder 24 is smoothly guided through one fitting section 64 and using the other fitting section 65 of the insertion section 2 as a guide, the tightening operation using the retaining ring 43 becomes easier.

FIG. 5 shows the main part of the second embodiment of this invention. This second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the other tapered portion 42 of the insertion portion 2 and the other fitting portion 65 (one tapered portion 41 of the insertion portion connecting cylinder 24 and one fitting portion 65) The positional relationship with the joint portion 64) is reversed. Even with such a configuration, the initial objective of this invention can be achieved.

FIG. 6 shows the main part of a third embodiment of this invention. In this third embodiment, the connection structure between the proximal end 40 of the insertion section 2 and the end of the insertion section 2 side of the insertion section connection cylinder 24 is reversed in the first embodiment. . Specifically, there is a tapered part 42 on the outer periphery of the proximal end 40 of the insertion section 2, the outer diameter of which decreases from the tip to the proximal end, and a minimum diameter of the other tapered part 42 on the proximal side of the insertion part 2. The other fitting part 65 having the same diameter as the outer diameter is provided, and one tapered part that fits with the other tapered part 42 is provided on the inner circumference of the insertion part 2 side end of the insertion part connecting cylinder 24. 41 and one fitting part 6 which fits into the other fitting part 65.
4, and a flange 72 that can be engaged with the end surface of the step 71 provided on the proximal end 40 is provided at one end of the retaining ring 43. A retaining ring 43 is screwed into a threaded portion 41a provided on the outer periphery and the tapered portions 41 and 42 are tightened to connect the insertion portion 2 and the insertion portion connecting cylinder 24. Even with such a configuration, the intended purpose of this invention can be achieved.

Furthermore, FIG. 7 shows the main part of a fourth embodiment of this invention. This fourth embodiment differs from the previous third embodiment in that the other tapered portion 42 of the insertion portion 2 and the other fitting portion 65 (one tapered portion 41 of the insertion portion connecting cylinder 24 and one fitting portion 65) The positional relationship with the joint portion 64) is reversed. Even with such a configuration, the intended purpose of this invention can be achieved.

[Effect of idea]

As explained above, according to this invention, the insertion section can be easily connected to the operation section main body without damaging the internal components.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

1 to 4 show a first embodiment of this invention, in which FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing the connection structure between the insertion section and the insertion section connection cylinder together with the surrounding structure; Figure 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the structure on the entrance/exit side of the channel entrance/exit part, Figure 3 is a schematic perspective view of an endoscope adopting this structure, and Figure 4 is a perspective view showing the main body of the operating section. 5 is a partial sectional view showing the main part of the second embodiment of this invention, FIG. 6 is a partial sectional view showing the main part of the third embodiment of this invention, and FIG. It is a partial cross-sectional view showing the main part of the fourth embodiment of this invention. 2... Insertion section, 7... Main body of operating section, 24... Cylindrical body for connecting insertion section, 40... Base end section, 41... One tapered section, 42... Other tapered section, 43...
Retaining ring (fixing member), 64...one fitting part (one cylindrical part), 65...other fitting part (the other cylindrical part).

Claims (1)

[Scope of utility model registration request] In an endoscope in which the proximal end of the insertion section is connected to the operation section main body via the insertion section connection cylinder, the connection structure between the insertion section connection cylinder and the proximal end of the insertion section is as follows:
One tapered part and one cylindrical part coaxial with the central axis of the insertion part connecting cylinder are provided on either the inner circumference or the outer peripheral part of the insertion part side end of the insertion part connecting cylinder, and the insertion part is inserted. The proximal end of the part is provided with the other tapered part that fits into the one tapered part and the other cylindrical part that fits into the one cylindrical part, and the insertion part side end of these insertion part connecting cylinders. and a proximal end of the insertion section are fixed by a fixing member.