JPH09108175A - Endoscope - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make it possible to expand the observation range by a curvilinear operation at the time of insertion to a desired section and observation of the lesion by shortening the length in the rigid part in an axial direction from the curvilinear moving point of the nodal rings at the rear end of a curving part to the flexible part of a flexible pipe as far as possible. SOLUTION: The flexible pipe 12 is constituted by covering a spiral pipe 16 formed with spiral notches on a metallic pipe with meshes 7 and coating the outer side thereof with a resin layer 18. The resin layer 18 on the outside surface at the front end of the flexible pipe 12 in the connecting part 20 between the curving part 10 of the insertion part 4 and the flexible pipe 12 is removed by a prescribed length and the nodal ring 24 at the rear end of the curving part 10 is fitted and fixed to this part. A coil 32 for fitting the wire for curvilinearly driving the curving part 10 is inserted into the flexible pipe 12 and the front end of this coil 32 is fixed by brazing to a hollow part 34 where there are no spiral notches at front end of the spiral pipe 14 on the inner side of the flexible pipe 12.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an endoscope, and more particularly to an endoscope characterized by a flexible insertion portion using a spiral tube.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A main endoscope having a flexible insertion portion is composed of a bending portion composed of a plurality of node rings connected to the distal end of the insertion portion, and a flexible tube or a flexible tube base connected to the bending portion. An operation section is provided at the end, and a universal cord connected to the light source device and the image signal processing apparatus extends from the operation section.

The structure of the flexible tube is, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 1-1.
As disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 90330, a spiral tube in which a belt-like body is spirally formed is provided inside, and a stitch tube made of a metal or a resin wire is fitted on the outer surface of the spiral tube and a resin film is further formed on the outer surface. ing.

A metallic annular member, to which the distal end of a coil sheath made of a metal wire inserted through the flexible tube is joined and fixed, is fitted and fixed to the distal end of the flexible tube, and a curved portion is attached to the annular member. The rear end of the node ring to be formed is fitted and fixed.

[0005]

However, in the structure of the conventional joint portion between the flexible tube and the bending portion described above, an annular member is provided between the flexible tube tip portion and the bending portion rear end. Since the intervening ring member as well as the node ring itself at the rear end of the curved portion is a hollow member made of metal,
There is a problem that the hard length in this portion becomes long in the axial direction.

This can be a factor that adversely affects the insertion operability up to the target site and the bending operation at the time of observing a lesion when performing diagnostic treatment in the body cavity of a patient.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and the length of a hard portion in the axial direction from the bending movable point of the node ring at the rear end of the bending portion to the flexible portion of the flexible tube is maximized. Shorten,
It is an object of the present invention to provide an endoscope capable of expanding the observation range by inserting it to a target site and performing a bending operation when observing a lesion.

[0008]

The endoscope of the present invention is flexible and flexible using a spiral tube formed by processing at least one spiral notch in a hollow tube made of metal. In an endoscope having a tube, the spiral cutout is formed at least at one end of the spiral tube in a closed state at an end of the spiral tube.

In the endoscope of the present invention, at least at one end of the spiral tube, the spiral cutout is in a state in which the spiral cutout is not opened at the end of the spiral tube but is closed. A coil sheath for inserting a wire that drives the bending is joined to the part without the notch, and the rear end of the node ring that forms the bending portion is fitted and joined, so that the bending of the node ring at the rear end of the bending portion can be performed. The length of the hard portion in the axial direction from the point to the flexible portion of the flexible tube is shortened as much as possible, and it is possible to expand the observation range by inserting it to the target site and bending operation at the time of observing the lesion.

[0010]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

1 to 10 relate to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing the configuration of an endoscope, and FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a spiral tube constituting the flexible tube of FIG. Explanatory drawing of 1,
FIG. 3 is a second explanatory view illustrating a spiral tube forming the flexible tube of FIG. 1, FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram showing a connection configuration of the bending portion and the flexible tube of FIG. 1, and FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram showing the configuration of the bending portion, FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram showing the configuration of the node ring of FIG. 5, FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration of a modification of the spiral tube of FIG. 3, and FIG. 8 is a bending portion of FIG. And a configuration diagram showing a connection configuration between the elastic tubular body and FIG. 9, a configuration diagram showing a modified example of the connection configuration between the bending portion and the elastic tubular body in FIG.
FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the assembly of the connection configuration of FIG.

As shown in FIG. 1, the endoscope 2 of the present embodiment comprises a flexible insertion section 4 to be inserted into a body cavity and an operation section 6 connected to the proximal end of the insertion section 4. , This operation part 6
The universal cord 8 connected to a light source device (not shown) extends from the.

The insertion section 4 inserts illumination light inside.
Optical fiber (not shown) to be transmitted to the tip of the
An image pickup device (not shown) for picking up an image from the tip and a built-in object (not shown) such as a cable for transmitting the image picked up by the image pickup device are provided, and the tip side is provided on the outer surface of the insertion section 4. The curved portion 10 to which a plurality of node rings described later are connected, and the flexible tube 12 connected to the rear of the curved portion 10.

The flexible tube 12 of the endoscope 4 is basically the same as the flexible tube used in the conventional endoscope, and the metallic pipe 14 shown in FIG. Notch 15
The spiral tube 16 in which is formed is covered with a mesh 17 made of a metal wire or a resin wire, and further has an exterior having a resin layer 18 coated on the outside thereof.
In addition, at both ends of the metal pipe 14, the notch 15 is fastened halfway so that the hollow is maintained so as not to reach the end.

As shown in FIG. 4 (a), in the connecting portion 20 between the bending portion 10 of the insertion portion 4 and the flexible tube 12, the tip end portion of the flexible tube 12 has a resin layer 18 on the outer surface of a predetermined length. The node ring 24 is removed and the node ring 24 is fitted and fixed to the rear end of the bending portion 10 disposed on the front end side at that portion. Although not shown in detail, the node ring 24 and the flexible tube 12 are fixed with screws,
Various fixing forms such as friction fixing by caulking and adhesive fixing are selected.

Here, the node ring 24 used for the bending portion 10
Will be described.

FIG. 5 is a schematic view of a node ring 24 that constitutes the bending portion 10 provided on the distal end side of the endoscope insertion portion 4. As shown in FIG. 5, the bending portion 10 is configured by connecting a plurality of node rings 24. At this connecting portion, as shown in FIG. 6A, one node ring 24 has a hole 41. However, a convex portion 42 is provided at the connecting portion of the other node ring 24.

When the node rings 24 are connected to each other, the node rings 24 are connected to each other while deforming the node rings 24 slightly so that the protrusions 42 fit into the holes 41 of the one node ring 24. Here, the fitted holes 41 and the convex portions 42 are rotatable with respect to each other, and the plurality of node rings 24 are connected to each other by the bending portion 1.
Performs a bending function of zero.

As shown in FIG. 6A, the node ring 24
The node ring 24 having the convex portion 42 provided on the inner side at the connecting portion
Although it is supposed to be provided so as to project outward from the connecting portion of FIG.
As shown in (b), the convex portion 42 provided on the node ring 24 may be provided so as to project inward from the connecting portion of the node ring 24 which is the outer side at the connecting portion. As for the shape of the convex portion 42, as shown in FIG. 6C, it may be possible to provide an inclined surface 43 so as to facilitate fitting. Also, the convex portion 4 protruding from the hole after fitting
A step of crimping 2 may be added. Incidentally, these node rings 24
Is assumed to be produced by injection molding of metal powder or resin molding.

By constructing the node ring 24 in this way,
Assembling work of the node ring 24 is also facilitated, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

Returning to FIG. 4A, the node ring 24 and the flexible tube 12 are
The outer surface including the fitting portion of and is covered with the mesh 17 even in the entire curved portion 10, and further, the mesh 17 is covered with the elastic tubular body 26. This elastic tubular body 26 is a thread winding portion 30 on the outer surface of the flexible tube 12 which is the connecting portion 20.
The thread is fixed by winding, and an adhesive is applied from the thread winding portion 30 to the surface of the resin layer 18 of the flexible tube 12.

A coil 32, into which a wire for bending and driving the bending portion 10 connected to the distal end side is fitted, is inserted inside the flexible tube 12, and the distal end of this coil 32 is inside the flexible tube 12. The spiral tube 16 is fixed by brazing to the hollow portion 34 (the portion without the spiral cut 15: see FIG. 3) at the tip.

As described above, according to the endoscope 2 of the present embodiment, by using the flexible tube 12 described above, FIG.
As compared with the conventional configuration in which the base 36 to which the coil is brazed and fixed is provided at the tip of the flexible tube as shown in FIG.
The length of the hard portion in the connecting portion 20 between 0 and the flexible tube 12 can be set short (L <L1; L in FIG. 4).
= Hard part length of the present embodiment, L1 = conventional hard part length),
As a result, it is possible to reduce the operability in endoscopy and the pain to the patient.

In the present embodiment, the spiral tube is not limited to the above-described structure in order to achieve the above-mentioned effects.
As shown in FIG. 7, a metal strip 44 is spirally wound and formed, and at both ends thereof, the strip 44 is brazed by a predetermined length to form a completely hollow body, which is flexible by itself. The same effect can be obtained by forming a pipe and connecting the curved portion to the node ring and brazing and fixing the internal coil.

Further, although the structure described so far has shown the flexible tube with one spiral tube, the invention is not limited to this, and the spiral tube may have a double or triple structure, and only the inner side is made of metal. The spiral pipe processed from the manufactured pipe may be used, and the other spiral pipe may be the same as the conventional one.

By the way, in the main body of the endoscope 2 shown in FIG. 1, as described above, the bending portion 10 provided at the distal end of the insertion portion 4 has the elastic tubular body made of a flexible elastic body (rubber) on the outer surface thereof. 26 is coated.

Then, as shown in FIG. 8, as in the conventional case,
The elastic tubular body 26 is wound at the front and rear ends of the curved portion 10 by the spool portions 30 at both ends of the elastic tubular body 26, and an adhesive 45 is applied to the spool portion 30 to fix the elastic tubular body 26.

Therefore, there is a problem that the outer diameter of the adhesive 45 is increased because the area where the adhesive 45 is applied swells in the radial direction. Further, since this work requires a great deal of labor, the assembly cost is high. It also has the problem of increasing

Next, a connection configuration of the bending portion and the elastic tubular body, which is a modified example of FIG. 8, for solving such a problem will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10.

As shown in FIG. 9, the bending portion 10 is formed by connecting a plurality of node rings 24, and the outer surface of the bending portion 10 is covered with a mesh 17 into which a metal wire is woven. Further, an elastic tubular body 26 is fitted on the outer surface thereof. The elastic tubular body 26 is made of an elastomer (rubber-like elastic body) made of a thermoplastic resin, and the distal end side thereof has the endoscope 2 inserted therein. It is fitted to the side portion of the hard resin cover 46 attached to the tip surface of the portion 4.

At the rear end of the bending portion 10, the rear end of the elastic tubular body 26 is fitted on the outer surface of the flexible tube 12 connected to the rear side of the bending portion 10. 18
In the fitting portion of the elastic tubular body 26, the film thickness is shaved off so that a step with the outer surface of the elastic tubular body 26 does not occur.

In this structure, the elastic tubular body 26 and the hard resin cover 46 are provided on the distal end side of the bending portion 10, and the elastic tubular body 26, the flexible tube 12 and the resin layer 18 are provided behind the bending portion 10. Are heat-welded respectively.

In this heat welding, as shown in FIG. 10, the elastic tubular body 26 of the bending portion 10 is fitted (FIG. 10 (a)), and then the front and rear ends of the bending portion 10 are not shown in detail. Is performed by using a crimping jig 47 having a built-in heater (see FIG. 10).
(B)), it becomes possible to assemble in a few seconds in a quick operation. Further, expansion of the outer shape due to heat welding is eliminated, and it is possible to maintain the small diameter.

With the above structure, the bending portion 1 can be easily operated.
The elastic tubular body 26 can be covered and fixed to 0, and expansion of the outer diameter can be prevented.

[Additional remarks] (Additional remarks 1-1) A flexible flexible tube using a spiral tube formed by processing at least one or more spiral cutouts in a hollow tubular member made of metal is provided. In the endoscope,
An endoscope characterized in that, at least at one end of the spiral tube, the spiral cutout is formed in a closed state at an end of the spiral tube without being opened.

(Additional Item 1-2) An additional item 1-characterized in that a resin film layer is formed on the outer surface of the flexible tube.
The endoscope according to 1.

(Additional Item 1-3) The flexible tube is formed by fitting a stitch tube made of a metal or resin wire into the spiral tube and forming a resin film layer on the outer surface of the stitch tube. The endoscope according to appendix 1-1.

(Additional Item 1-4) An additional item characterized in that a coil sheath made of a metal wire inserted into the flexible tube is joined to a portion of the end of the flexible tube where there is no spiral cutout. The endoscope according to 1-1.

(Additional Item 1-5) The additional item 1-5 is characterized in that a rear end portion of a node ring forming an endoscope curved portion is fitted and fixed to one end of the flexible tube. Endoscope.

(Additional Item 1-6) In an endoscope provided with a flexible tube having flexibility, which uses a spiral tube formed by spirally forming a band-shaped body made of metal, an axis of at least one end of the spiral tube Direction to form a hollow tube shape by joining the strips, and the flexible tube is fitted to the spiral tube with a knitting tube made of a metal or resin wire, and at the outer surface of the knitting tube. An endoscope characterized by being formed by forming a resin film layer.

(Additional Item 1-7) An additional item 1 is characterized in that a coil sheath made of a metal wire inserted into the flexible tube is joined to a portion of the end portion of the flexible tube where the strip-shaped body is joined. The endoscope according to -6.

(Additional Item 1-8) The additional item 1-7 is characterized in that the rear end portion of the node ring forming the curved portion of the endoscope is fitted and fixed to one end of the flexible tube. Endoscope.

(Additional Item 1-9) The endoscope according to Additional Item 1-1, wherein the spiral tube has a double structure.

(Additional Item 1-10) At least one of the double-structured spiral tubes is a spiral tube formed by spirally forming a metal strip.
The endoscope according to -9.

(Additional Item 1-11) The endoscope according to Additional Item 1-1, wherein the spiral tube has a triple structure.

(Additional Item 1-12) At least one of the triple-structured spiral tubes is a spiral tube formed by spirally forming a metal strip.
The endoscope according to -11.

On the other hand, conventionally, at the distal end of the insertion portion having the channel conduit, a forceps raising mechanism is provided in the channel opening, and an optical field plane having an illumination / observation function is arranged in parallel with the channel opening. There is a side-viewing endoscope.

By using this endoscope, a treatment tool inserted into the channel duct is generally inserted into the bile duct or pancreatic duct through the opening of Mr. Ferta's papilla in the duodenum.

Particularly, in the conventional case, for example, the actual development number 60-
As disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 184506, a device is provided in which a groove is provided on the forceps raising base to prevent the treatment tool from wobbling.

When a treatment tool is inserted into the opening of the fertal papilla of the duodenum using a side-viewing endoscope having a forceps raising mechanism, the treatment tool is inserted through the channel duct. The channel channel of the mirror has a large inner diameter so that a gap can be provided even when the treatment instrument is inserted in order to secure the insertability of the treatment instrument and the suction amount for degassing the body cavity.

Therefore, particularly when a relatively small diameter treatment instrument is inserted, the treatment instrument moves vertically and horizontally near the channel opening. The position is not stable and the nipple opening is difficult to insert.

With respect to this problem, the conventional method has been used.
As disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 184506, in the forceps raising mechanism, a device is provided in which a groove along the axial direction of the treatment tool is provided on the forceps raising base. The wobbling of the tool causes the direction of the tip of the treatment tool to wobble, and in the end, the above problem cannot be solved.

Therefore, a side-viewing endoscope having a forceps raising mechanism that allows a treatment instrument to be inserted by adjusting with a stable raising base without dangling the opening of the duodenal papilla will be described.

11 to 14 relate to an embodiment of a side-viewing endoscope having a forceps raising mechanism that can be inserted by adjusting with a stable raising stand. FIG. 11 shows a side-viewing endoscope. FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the tip of the mirror, FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view showing a cross section in the axial direction of the forceps raising base and the channel opening portion of FIG. 11, and FIG. 13 is a cross-section taken along line AA and BB of FIG. FIG. 14 is a sectional view showing the operation of the side-view endoscope of FIG. 11.

As shown in FIG. 11, an optical surface 52 for laterally illuminating and observing, and an optical surface 52 at the tip of the insertion portion 51 of the side-viewing endoscope 50 equipped with a forceps raising device. A channel opening 54 provided with a movable forceps raising base 53 on the side
Are arranged. FIG. 12 shows an axial cross section of the forceps raising base 53 and the channel opening 54.

As shown in FIG. 12, the channel opening 5
The channel 55 for inserting and sucking the treatment tool communicating with the 4 is formed by the channel tube 56 built in the insertion portion 51, and the channel tube 56 is fitted and fixed to the pipe 58 joined to the tip forming portion 57. The pipe 58 communicates with the lumen of the pipe 58 and the channel conduit 59 in the distal end forming portion 57 and is connected to the channel opening 54. The channel opening 54 is provided with the forceps raising base 53 which is movable from the proximal side by an operation of advancing and retracting a wire (not shown).

FIG. 13 which is a sectional view taken along line AA in FIG.
As shown in (a), the tip forming portion 57 has the optical surface 5
Observation optical system 60 for transmitting an observation image and illumination light to
And an illumination optical system 61 are provided, and a channel conduit 59 communicating with the inner cavity of the tunnel tube 56 and the channel opening 54 is formed.

The channel conduit 59 formed in the tip forming portion 57 extends from the channel opening 54 on the tip side to the tip side of the pipe 58 into which the channel chirp 56 on the rear side is fitted, and its cross section is horizontal in the figure. The width is narrower than the diameter of the channel chirp 56 in the direction, and is smaller than the width in the vertical direction, that is, the rising direction of the treatment tool.
Then, the rear pipe 58 has a circular cavity shape shown by a dotted line in FIG. 12, and continues to the channel tube 56 having the same circular cavity shape.

Here, in the channel conduit 59 formed in the tip forming portion 57, the lateral direction of the circular shape defined by the channel tube 56 is only narrower than the diameter of the channel chirp 56. As shown in FIG. 13B, the width may be increased in the vertical direction that coincides with the rising direction.

Further, the sectional shape of the pipe 58 joined to the rear side of the tip forming section 57 is also the above-mentioned tip forming section 57 as shown in FIG. 13C which is a section taken along the line BB in FIG.
The channel tube 56 may be fitted and fixed thereto while being elastically deformed in accordance with the shape of the channel conduit 59 formed in the above.

The side-view endoscope 50 configured as described above is
As shown in FIG. 14, the duodenum 71 is orally inserted. After grasping Mr. Ferta's papilla opening 72 in the duodenum 71 in the field of view, the treatment instrument 73 is inserted into the channel 55 from the forceps port (not shown) provided in the proximal side operation unit, and the distal channel The tip of the treatment instrument 73 is projected from the opening 54. Then, the forceps raising base 53 is moved by an operation on the proximal side to insert the treatment tool 73 while adjusting the direction of the tip of the treatment tool 73 toward the Ferta's papilla opening 72.

At this time, the channel 5 in the insertion portion 51
The inner diameter of 5 is larger than the outer diameter of the treatment instrument 73 to be inserted with a margin, and the insertability of the treatment instrument 73 and the suction amount at the time of suction are secured, but it is formed in the distal end forming portion 57. Since the width of the channel conduit 59 is narrowed in the vertical direction of the rising direction, the treatment tool 73 can be inserted into the teat 72 at a stable position without wobbling in the vertical direction of the rising direction. Is possible.

Further, in order to deaerate the inside of the body cavity with the treatment instrument 73 inserted through the channel 55 of the endoscope 50, suction is performed through the channel 55, and at this time, it is formed on the distal end forming portion 57. In the channel conduit 59, the clearance with the treatment instrument 73 is provided in the rising direction, so that the suction amount is secured.

As described above, by using the side-viewing endoscope 50 having the forceps raising section having the above-described structure, for example, by operating the forceps raising stand 53, the treatment tool 73 is inserted into the Ferta's papilla opening 72. The distal end of the treatment instrument 73 does not sway when performing, and can be reliably inserted in a stable state,
Moreover, suction through the channel 55 can be secured.

[Additional remarks] (Additional remark 2-1) In a side-viewing endoscope having a forceps rising portion at the distal end of an insertion portion having a channel conduit, the channel tube near the channel opening communicating with the forceps rising portion. A side-view endoscope characterized in that the cross-sectional shape of the road is irregular.

(Additional Item 2-2) In the cross-sectional shape of the channel conduit near the opening of the endoscope channel,
Item 2. The side-view endoscope according to item 2-1 is characterized in that the width of the forceps elevator in the operation direction is formed to be larger than the width of the forceps elevator in the direction perpendicular to the operation direction.

(Additional Item 2-3) In the sectional shape of the channel of the channel near the opening of the endoscope channel,
The side-view endoscope according to Appendix 2-2, wherein a width of the forceps upright portion in a direction perpendicular to an operating direction is smaller than an inner diameter of the channel conduit formed over substantially the entire length in the insertion portion.

(Additional Item 2-4) In the cross-sectional shape of the channel conduit near the opening of the endoscope channel,
The side-view endoscope according to appendix 2-3, wherein a width of the forceps rising portion in the operating direction is larger than an inner diameter of the channel conduit formed over substantially the entire length in the insertion portion.

(Supplementary Note 2-5) The cross-sectional shape of the channel conduit formed in the distal end forming portion having the channel opening is larger than the width of the forceps rising portion in the direction perpendicular to the operating direction of the forceps rising portion. The side-view endoscope according to additional item 2-3, which is formed to have a large width in the operating direction.

(Additional Item 2-6) The cross-sectional shape of the channel conduit of the hollow member connected to the tip forming part so as to communicate with the channel conduit formed in the tip forming part having the channel opening. However, the side-view endoscope according to additional item 2-3 is characterized in that the width of the forceps upright in the operation direction is larger than the width of the forceps upright in the direction perpendicular to the operation direction.

[0071]

As described above, according to the endoscope of the present invention, in at least one end of the spiral tube, the spiral notch is closed at the end of the spiral tube without being opened. A coil sheath through which a wire for bending driving is inserted is joined to a portion of the spiral tube where the spiral notch is not formed, and a rear end of a node ring that forms the bending portion is joined and joined. The length of the axial hard portion from the bending movable point of the end node ring to the flexible portion of the flexible tube can be shortened as much as possible, and the observation range is expanded by inserting it to the target site and bending operation when observing the lesion There is an effect that can be done.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration of an endoscope according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a first diagram for explaining a spiral tube that constitutes the flexible tube of FIG.
Illustration of

FIG. 3 is a second diagram for explaining a spiral tube that constitutes the flexible tube of FIG.
Illustration of

FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram showing a connection configuration between a bending portion and a flexible tube in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration of a bending portion in FIG.

6 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration of the node ring of FIG.

7 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration of a modification of the spiral tube of FIG.

FIG. 8 is a configuration diagram showing a connection configuration between a bending portion and an elastic tubular body in FIG.

9 is a configuration diagram showing a modified example of the connection configuration between the bending portion and the elastic tubular body in FIG.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating assembly of the connection configuration of FIG.

FIG. 11 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration of a distal end of a side-view endoscope according to an embodiment of a side-view endoscope including a forceps raising mechanism that enables insertion with stable adjustment by a raising base.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view showing an axial cross section of the forceps raising base and the channel opening of FIG.

13 is a cross-sectional view showing a cross section taken along line AA and a line BB line in FIG.

FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the operation of the side-view endoscope of FIG. 11.

[Explanation of symbols]

 2 ... Endoscope 4 ... Insertion part 6 ... Operation part 8 ... Universal cord 10 ... Bending part 12 ... Flexible tube 14 ... Metal pipe 15 ... Notch 16 ... Spiral tube 17 ... Mesh 18 ... Resin layer 20 ... Connection part 24 ... node ring 26 ... elastic tubular body 30 ... thread winding portion 32 ... coil 34 ... hollow portion 41 ... hole 42 ... convex portion

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. An endoscope provided with a flexible tube having flexibility, which uses a spiral tube formed by processing at least one spiral cutout in a hollow tube member made of metal, wherein the spiral tube An endoscope characterized in that at least one end of the spiral cutout is formed in a closed state without being opened at an end of the spiral tube.