阅读说明：本技术 内窥镜 (Endoscope with a detachable handle ) 是由 山谷高嗣 于 2019-03-11 设计创作，主要内容包括：内窥镜(1)具有：外皮(22),其包覆于插入部(2)的外表面；线状部件(42),其卷绕于外皮(22)的外表面而将外皮(22)的端部固定于插入部(2)；树脂(41),其涂敷于在外皮(22)卷绕线状部件(42)而得到的绕线部；突起部(36、37),其设置于插入部(2)的外表面,形成于插入部(2)的周向的一部分；罩部件(25、26),其以覆盖树脂(41)的外周的方式被安装；以及凹部(27、28),其设置于罩部件(25、26)的内周面,具有与突起部(36、37)相似的截面形状,并且配置在相对于突起部(36、37)在插入部(2)的周向上错开的位置。(An endoscope (1) is provided with: an outer skin (22) that covers the outer surface of the insertion section (2); a linear member (42) that is wound around the outer surface of the sheath (22) and that fixes the end of the sheath (22) to the insertion section (2); a resin (41) applied to a winding portion formed by winding a linear member (42) around a sheath (22); protrusions (36, 37) provided on the outer surface of the insertion section (2) and formed in a part of the insertion section (2) in the circumferential direction; cover members (25, 26) attached so as to cover the outer periphery of the resin (41); and recesses (27, 28) that are provided on the inner peripheral surfaces of the cover members (25, 26), have a cross-sectional shape similar to that of the protrusions (36, 37), and are disposed at positions offset from the protrusions (36, 37) in the circumferential direction of the insertion portion (2).)

1. An endoscope, comprising:

an insertion unit to be inserted into a subject;

an outer skin covering an outer surface of the insertion portion;

a linear member wound around an outer surface of the sheath to fix an end of the sheath to the insertion portion;

a resin applied to a winding portion formed by winding the linear member around the outer skin;

a protrusion portion provided on an outer surface of the insertion portion and formed at a part of a circumferential direction of the insertion portion;

a cover member attached so as to cover an outer periphery of the resin; and

and a recess provided on an inner peripheral surface of the cover member, having a cross-sectional shape similar to that of the protrusion, and disposed at a position shifted from the protrusion in a circumferential direction of the insertion portion.

2. The endoscope of claim 1,

the cover member is disposed so as to cover the protrusion.

3. The endoscope of claim 2,

the protrusion is formed by laminating the linear members in the winding portion in a radial direction of the insertion portion.

4. The endoscope of claim 1,

the resin is an adhesive that fixes the linear member, the outer skin, and the cover member to each other and is cured in a state where a portion protruding from the cover member is removed.

5. The endoscope of claim 1,

the linear member is wound around both ends of a curved portion skin covering a curved portion of the insertion portion, the curved portion skin being crushed to reduce an outer diameter,

the cover member is disposed so as to cover the linear member having the diameter reduced in the curved portion skin, and is held in a state of being sandwiched between the protrusion and the outer diameter of the curved portion skin.

6. The endoscope of claim 1,

the cover member is an annular member.

7. The endoscope of claim 6,

the cover member is elastically deformed in an inner radial direction when attached to the insertion portion.

8. The endoscope of claim 6,

the annular member is formed of 2 members having an arc shape, and end portions of the 2 members are connected.

9. An endoscope, comprising:

an insertion unit to be inserted into a subject;

an outer skin covering an outer surface of the insertion portion;

a linear member wound around an outer surface of the sheath to fix an end of the sheath to the insertion portion;

a resin applied to a winding portion formed by winding the linear member around the outer skin;

a recess portion provided on an outer surface of the insertion portion, the recess portion being formed in a part of the insertion portion in a circumferential direction, the part of the insertion portion in the circumferential direction being narrower than other parts in a radial direction of the insertion portion;

a cover member attached so as to cover an outer periphery of the resin; and

and a protrusion portion provided so as to protrude from an inner peripheral surface of the cover member, having a cross-sectional shape similar to that of the recess portion, and being disposed at a position shifted from the recess portion in a circumferential direction of the insertion portion.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to an endoscope having an insertion portion to be inserted into a subject, and particularly to an endoscope having a bending portion provided at the insertion portion.

Background

As is well known, endoscopes are widely used for observation, treatment, and the like of living bodies (inside body cavities), inspection, repair, and the like in industrial plant facilities. Such an endoscope has an insertion portion for insertion into a curved body cavity or duct. In addition, a technique is known in which an insertion portion of an endoscope has a bending portion that is provided so as to be connected to a proximal end side of a distal end portion and that allows the direction of the distal end portion to be changed.

For example, international publication No. WO2011/052303 discloses a fixing structure of an endoscope bending section sheath, which prevents a wire-wound bonding portion bonding a distal end portion and a bending section sheath from being deteriorated by a chemical solution or the like during cleaning and sterilization.

In such a conventional endoscope, when both end portions of the curved sheath are fixed to the distal end portion and the flexible tube portion, the annular member is fixed so as to cover the outer periphery of the wire bonding portion before the adhesive of the wire bonding portion is cured.

However, in the conventional endoscope, it is necessary to set the annular member at a predetermined appropriate position and wipe off the adhesive that has overflowed from the end of the annular member before curing, and the annular member is moved during the wiping operation, so that it is difficult to perform the adhesive wiping operation at the appropriate position, and there is a problem that it takes time to wipe off the excess adhesive.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide an endoscope capable of preventing deterioration due to a chemical solution or the like when cleaning and sterilizing a wire bonding portion that bonds both end portions of a sheath of a bending portion, wiping off an excess adhesive in the wire bonding portion in a short time, and improving workability.

Disclosure of Invention

Means for solving the problems

An endoscope according to an aspect of the present invention includes: an insertion unit to be inserted into a subject; an outer skin covering an outer surface of the insertion portion; a linear member wound around an outer surface of the sheath to fix an end of the sheath to the insertion portion; a resin applied to a winding portion formed by winding the linear member around the outer skin; a protrusion portion provided on an outer surface of the insertion portion and formed at a part of a circumferential direction of the insertion portion; a cover member attached so as to cover an outer periphery of the resin; and a recess portion provided on an inner peripheral surface of the cover member, having a cross-sectional shape similar to the projection portion, and disposed at a position shifted from the projection portion in a circumferential direction of the insertion portion.

Effects of the invention

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an endoscope capable of preventing deterioration due to a chemical solution or the like when cleaning and sterilizing a wire-bonded portion in which a distal end portion and a sheath of a bending portion are bonded, wiping off an excess adhesive in the wire-bonded portion in a short time, and improving workability.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a view showing an external appearance of an endoscope according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a distal end portion of an insertion portion according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 3 is a front view showing a configuration of a tip end portion according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 4 is a plan view showing the configuration of the distal end side cover member according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 5 is a plan view showing the structure of the base end side cover member according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a distal end portion of an insertion portion to which a cover member is attached according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 7 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a state before the distal-side cover member is attached to the winding wire adhering portion according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 8 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a state before the base-side cover member is attached to the winding wire adhering portion according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 9 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a distal end portion of an insertion portion to which a cover member is attached according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 10 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a state in which the distal-side cover member is attached to the wire-bonding portion according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 11 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a state in which the base-side cover member is attached to the wire bonding portion according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 12 is a front view of the distal end portion showing a state in which the distal end side cover member is rotated according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 13 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the base end side cover member rotates according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 14 is a perspective view showing the distal end portion of the insertion portion in a state where excess adhesive is wiped off in the first embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 15 is a perspective view showing the distal end portion of the insertion portion in a state where excess adhesive is wiped in the first embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 16 is a partial sectional view of the tip end portion of the first embodiment of the present invention, taken along line XVI-XVI in fig. 12.

Fig. 17 is a partial cross-sectional view of the tip portion of the first embodiment of the present invention, taken along line XVII-XVII in fig. 12.

Fig. 18 is a partial sectional view of the base end side of the bent portion along the line XVIII-XVIII in fig. 13 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 19 is a partial sectional view of the base end side of the bend portion along XIX-XIX line in fig. 13 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 20 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a distal end portion of an insertion portion according to a first modification of the first embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 21 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a distal end portion of an insertion portion according to a second modification example of the first embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 22 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a distal end portion of an insertion portion according to a third modification example of the first embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 23 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the distal end portion of the insertion portion of the second embodiment.

Fig. 24 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a distal end portion of an insertion portion to which the distal end side cover member is attached according to the second embodiment.

Fig. 25 is a perspective view showing the distal end portion of the insertion portion in a state where excess adhesive is to be wiped in the second embodiment.

Fig. 26 is a perspective view showing the distal end portion of the insertion portion in a state where the excess adhesive is wiped in the second embodiment.

Fig. 27 is a plan view showing the configuration of the distal end side cover member according to a modification of the second embodiment.

Fig. 28 is a plan view showing the configuration of the tip-side cover member deformed by being crushed along the long axis in the modification of the second embodiment.

Fig. 29 is a diagram showing a state in which the tip end cover of the modification of the second embodiment is attached to the wire bonding portion.

Fig. 30 is an exploded perspective view showing the structure of the distal end portion of the insertion portion of the third embodiment.

Fig. 31 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the distal end portion of the insertion portion to which the cover member is attached according to the third embodiment.

Fig. 32 is a perspective view showing the distal end portion of the insertion portion in a state where excess adhesive is to be wiped in the third embodiment.

Fig. 33 is a perspective view showing the distal end portion of the insertion portion in a state where excess adhesive is wiped in the third embodiment.

Fig. 34 is an exploded perspective view showing the configuration of the distal end portion of the insertion portion of the first modification example of the third embodiment.

Fig. 35 is a perspective view showing the distal end portion of the insertion portion in a state where excess adhesive is wiped in the first modification of the third embodiment.

Fig. 36 is a perspective view showing the distal end portion of the insertion portion in a state where the excess adhesive of the first modification is wiped in the third embodiment.

Fig. 37 is an exploded perspective view showing the configuration of the distal end portion of the insertion portion according to the second modification example of the third embodiment.

Fig. 38 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a distal end portion of an insertion portion to which a distal end side cover member is attached according to a second modification of the third embodiment.

Fig. 39 is a perspective view showing the distal end portion of the insertion portion in a state where the excess adhesive of the second modification is wiped in the third embodiment.

Fig. 40 is an exploded perspective view showing the configuration of the distal end portion of the insertion portion of the third modification example of the third embodiment.

Fig. 41 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a distal end portion of an insertion portion to which a distal end side cover member is attached according to a third modification of the third embodiment.

Fig. 42 is a perspective view showing the distal end portion of the insertion portion in a state where the excess adhesive of the third modification is wiped in the third embodiment.

Fig. 43 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the distal end side cover member according to the fourth modification of the third embodiment.

Fig. 44 is a diagram showing a state in which the tip end cover of the fourth modification is attached to the wire bonding portion in the third embodiment.

Fig. 45 is a partial sectional view of a portion of a fifth modification of the third embodiment to which the distal-end-side cover member is attached and which has a restricting projection.

Fig. 46 is a partial sectional view of a portion of a fifth modification of the third embodiment to which a base end side cover member is attached and which has a restricting projection.

Detailed Description

Hereinafter, an endoscope according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, it should be noted that the drawings according to the embodiments are schematic, and the relationship between the thickness and the width of each portion, the ratio of the thickness of each portion, and the like are different from the actual ones, and the portions having different dimensional relationships and ratios are also included in the drawings.

First, an endoscope according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

The endoscope in the following description of the configuration is a so-called flexible endoscope in which an insertion portion for insertion into a body cavity such as a bronchus or a urinary organ of a living body or from an esophagus to a stomach, a small intestine, or a large intestine is flexible, but the endoscope can be applied to a so-called rigid endoscope in which an insertion portion having a bending portion for surgical use is rigid.

(first embodiment)

As shown in fig. 1, an endoscope 1 of the present embodiment is configured to include a long and slender insertion portion 2 to be inserted into a subject, an operation portion 3, and a universal cable 4 as a composite cable. The insertion section 2 of the endoscope 1 is configured to have a distal end portion 6, a bending portion 7, and a flexible tube portion 8 in this order from the distal end.

A bending operation knob 14 for bending the bending portion 7 of the insertion portion 2 is rotatably disposed on the operation portion 3, and an air/water feeding button 15, a suction button 16, a focus adjustment lever 17, and the like are provided.

The bending operation knob 14 is provided such that 2 substantially disk-shaped rotation knobs, i.e., a UD bending operation knob 12 for bending the bending portion 7 in the vertical direction and a RL bending operation knob 13 for bending the bending portion 7 in the left-right direction, overlap each other.

The coupling portion between the insertion portion 2 and the operation portion 3 is configured to include: a grip 11 which is gripped by a user; and a treatment instrument insertion path insertion portion 18 which is disposed in the grip portion 11 and serves as an opening portion of a treatment instrument insertion path for inserting various treatment instruments disposed in the insertion portion 2.

The universal cable 4 extended from the operation unit 3 has an endoscope connector 20 at an extended end thereof, which is detachable from a light source device not shown. The endoscope 1 of the present embodiment transmits illumination light from a light source device (not shown) to the distal end portion 6 by a light guide bundle (not shown) of an illumination unit inserted through the insertion portion 2, the operation portion 3, and the universal cord 4.

Although not shown, a coil-shaped coil cable is connected to the endoscope connector 20, and an electrical connector that is detachable from a video processor (not shown) is provided at an extending end of the coil cable.

Next, the configuration of the distal end portion of the insertion section 2 of the endoscope 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to fig. 2 and 3. In the following description, a description of a known structure of the insertion portion 2 will be omitted.

As shown in fig. 2 and 3, the insertion portion 2 of the endoscope 1 is provided with a distal end cap 21 at the distal end portion 6, and a distal end frame member 24 (see fig. 7 and the like) which will be described later and is not shown here. The distal end surface of the distal end cap 21 is provided with an observation window 31, 2 illumination windows 32, and an opening 33 of a channel through which a treatment instrument or the like is inserted.

Further, an air/water supply nozzle 34 for ejecting a fluid such as air or water onto the surface of the observation window 31 and an opening 35 of a front water supply passage for ejecting a liquid such as physiological saline toward a front object to be tested are provided on the front end surface of the front end cover 21.

The front cover 21 has a restricting convex portion 36 protruding outward at a part of the outer peripheral portion. The front end portion 6 may be provided with no front end cover 21, and may have an outer surface formed of a front end frame member.

The bending portion 7 is covered with a bending portion skin 22 as an outer skin around the bending portion 7, and the bending portion skin 22 is formed in a cylindrical shape using rubber, resin, or the like as a material, has flexibility, and separates the bending portion 7 from the outside in a liquid-tight manner. Further, the flexible tube portion 8 is covered with an outer sheath 23. A restricting convex portion 37 protruding outward is provided at a part of the outer periphery of the tip end of the outer skin 23.

Both ends of the bending portion skin 22 of the bending portion 7 are fixed to the distal end portion 6 and the flexible tube portion 8 by a wire bonding portion 40 (not shown in fig. 7 and later) which will be described later. The distal end side cover member 25 and the proximal end side cover member 26 are ring-shaped ring members of about 0.2mm to 0.3mm, and cover the wire-wound adhesive sections 40 at both ends of the bending portion skin 22.

The distal-side cover member 25 and the proximal-side cover member 26 are provided to cover the wire bonding portion 40, respectively, to protect the wire bonding portion 40, and to prevent deterioration of the adhesive due to the chemical used for cleaning and disinfecting the endoscope 1.

The distal end side cover member 25 is an annular member formed of a metal such as stainless steel or a hard resin such as polysulfone. As shown in fig. 4, a part of the outer peripheral portion of the distal end side cover member 25 is formed to protrude so as to expand in diameter in the outer peripheral direction, and a restricting recess 27 is formed on the inner peripheral surface side of the protruding portion.

The restricting recess 27 has a recess shape having a cross-sectional shape similar to the restricting protrusion 36 of the front end cap 21 formed at the front end portion 6. The restricting recessed portion 27 has been described as having a recessed portion shape having a cross-sectional shape similar to the restricting convex portion 36 formed on the outer skin 23 of the flexible tube portion 8, but the recessed portion having a cross-sectional shape similar to the protrusion (restricting convex portion) is not limited to a recessed portion having the same shape as the protrusion as long as the recessed portion includes a shape similar to the protrusion so as to allow the protrusion to pass therethrough.

The base end side cover member 26 is also a circular ring member formed of a metal such as stainless steel or a hard resin such as polysulfone. As shown in fig. 5, the base end side cover member 26 has a restricting recess 28 formed in a part of the inner peripheral surface.

The restricting concave portion 28 has a concave portion shape having a cross-sectional shape similar to the restricting convex portion 37 formed on the outer skin 23 of the flexible tube portion 8. The restricting recessed portion 28 has been described as having a recessed portion shape having a cross-sectional shape similar to the restricting convex portion 37 formed on the outer skin 23 of the flexible tube portion 8, but the recessed portion having a cross-sectional shape similar to the protrusion (restricting convex portion) is not limited to a recessed portion having the same shape as the protrusion as long as the recessed portion includes a shape similar to the protrusion so as to allow the protrusion to pass therethrough.

Here, a process of attaching the distal-side cover member 25 and the proximal-side cover member 26 so as to cover the wire bonding portion 40 will be described below. As shown in fig. 6 to 8, the winding adhesive part 40 is formed as follows: the linear member 42 is wound so as to tighten the outer peripheries of both end portions of the bending portion skin 22, and the adhesive 41 is applied to the outer periphery of the wound portion formed by winding the linear member 42.

However, the bending portion skin 22 covers the outer peripheral portion of the distal end frame member 24 (see fig. 7), and the proximal end portion of the bending portion skin 22 covers a connection pipe 46 (see fig. 8) provided in the flexible pipe portion 8 and fitted to the bending pipe 45, and is fixed by the wire bonding portion 40.

The distal end frame member 24 is a frame body in which the distal end portion is fitted into the bent tube 45 in the bent portion 7, and the distal end portion is fixed to the distal end cover 21 by adhesion or the like.

The outer sheath 23 covered with the connection tube 46 of the flexible tube portion 8 is also fixed to the winding wire bonding portion 40 on the proximal end side. The connection pipe 46 is connected to the tip of a spiral pipe 48 as a torque transmission member covered with the blade 47, and the outer skin 23 is covered so as to cover the outer periphery of the blade 47, thereby forming the flexible pipe portion 8. The outer skin 23 may be formed by over-molding.

As shown in fig. 6, the base end side cover member 26 is externally inserted in advance into the flexible tube portion 8 of the insertion portion 2. At this time, the base end side cover member 26 is attached by passing the restricting convex portion 37 through it in circumferential alignment so that the restricting concave portion 28 coincides with the restricting convex portion 37 formed on the outer skin 23 of the flexible tube portion 8.

After the winding adhesive portion 40 for fixing both ends of the bending portion skin 22 is formed, the distal end side cover member 25 is attached so as to cover the winding adhesive portion 40 by sliding from the distal end side toward the proximal end side as shown in fig. 7, and the proximal end side cover member 26 is attached so as to cover the winding adhesive portion 40 by sliding from the proximal end side toward the distal end side as shown in fig. 8.

Specifically, as shown in fig. 9 and 10, the distal-side cover member 25 is moved toward the proximal side in circumferential alignment so that the restricting recess 27 coincides with the restricting projection 36 of the distal end cap 21, and is attached to a position covering an adhesive 41, the adhesive 41 being a resin portion of the wire bonding portion 40 on the distal side.

At this time, most of the excess adhesive 41a is pushed out to the proximal end side of the distal end side cover member 25 with the movement of the distal end side cover member 25, and is in a state of protruding to the surface of the curved portion skin 22. The excess adhesive 41a slightly protrudes toward the distal end side from the distal end side cover member 25.

As shown in fig. 9 and 11, the base-side cover member 26 is moved toward the distal end side in circumferential alignment so that the restricting recess 28 is aligned with the restricting projection 37 of the outer cover 23, and is attached to the position of the adhesive covering the winding adhesive portion 40 on the base end side.

At this time, most of the excess adhesive 41a is pushed out to the distal end side of the base end side cover member 26 with the movement of the base end side cover member 26, and is protruded to the surface of the bending portion skin 22. The excess adhesive 41a slightly protrudes toward the base end side from the base end side cover member 26.

As shown in fig. 12 and 13, the distal-side cover member 25 and the proximal-side cover member 26 are rotated at a predetermined angle around the outer periphery of the bending portion skin 22 of the bending portion 7 to positions where the respective restricting concave portions 27, 28 are circumferentially shifted from the restricting convex portions 36, 37.

That is, the restricting recess 27 of the distal-end cover member 25 is circumferentially displaced from the restricting projection 36 on the distal end, and the restricting recess 28 of the proximal-end cover member 26 is circumferentially displaced from the restricting projection 37 on the proximal end.

Thus, the distal-side cover member 25 and the proximal-side cover member 26 are attached to predetermined appropriate positions covering the wire bonding portion 40 in a state of being in contact with one end (end surface) facing the restricting convex portions 36 and 37.

Then, as shown in fig. 14, the adhesive 41a that has overflowed from both ends of the distal-side cover member 25 and the proximal-side cover member 26 is wiped off by the waste cloth 100 or the like as shown in fig. 15.

In the wiping operation, the adhesive 41a that has overflowed may be wiped so as to form a gentle slope or a curved line (the portion indicated by the reference symbol C in fig. 16 to 19) so as not to form edges at both ends of the distal-end side cover member 25 and the proximal-end side cover member 26.

As shown in fig. 16 to 19, the curved portion skin 22 of the curved portion 7 is flattened in the inner diameter direction by winding the linear member 42 of the wire bonding portion 40 around the outer peripheral portions of both ends, and the outer diameter is smaller than the inner diameters of the distal end side cover member 25 and the base end side cover member 26, and the outer diameters of the other portions are larger.

Thus, the distal end side cover member 25 and the proximal end side cover member 26 are sandwiched between the bending portion skin 22 and the regulating projections 36 and 37, and are not moved in the front-rear direction, but are held so as to be hardly rotated even in the wiping operation of the adhesive 41a that has overflowed (see fig. 16 and 18).

The adhesive 41 of the wire bonding portion 40 is thermally cured at about 60 ℃, and the distal end side cover member 25 and the base end side cover member 26 are bonded to the wire bonding portion 40.

As described above, the annular distal-side cover member 25 and the annular proximal-side cover member 26 of the endoscope 1 according to the present embodiment are provided at predetermined appropriate positions covering the wire bonding portion 40, and the wire bonding portion 40 fixes both end portions of the bending portion skin 22 of the bending portion 7, so that the excess adhesive 41a that has overflowed can be easily wiped off from both end portions of the distal-side cover member 25 and the proximal-side cover member 26 that are held in contact with the restricting convex portions 36 and 37.

That is, since the distal-side cover member 25 and the proximal-side cover member 26 covering the wire adhering portion 40 of the endoscope 1 are held in a state of not being moved from the predetermined appropriate positions before the thermosetting treatment of the wire adhering portion 40 provided at both end portions of the bending portion 7 of the insertion portion 2, the excess adhesive 41a can be wiped off easily and cleanly, and the wiping operation time of the adhesive 41a can be shortened more than before.

As described above, the endoscope 1 of the present embodiment is configured to provide the distal end side cover member 25 and the proximal end side cover member 26, which prevent deterioration due to a chemical solution or the like when cleaning and sterilizing the wire bonding portion 40 that bonds the both end portions of the bending portion skin 22 as the bending portion outer skin, and thereby can wipe off the excess adhesive agent 41a of the wire bonding portion 40 in the assembly of the distal end side cover member 25 and the proximal end side cover member 26 in a short time, and improve workability.

The restricting convex portions 36 and 37 may be provided on the bending portion skin 22 side, and the distal end side cover member 25 and the proximal end side cover member 26 may be held so that the distal end side cover member 25 and the proximal end side cover member 26 are sandwiched between the front and rear by the 2 restricting convex portions 36 and 37.

(first modification)

As shown in fig. 20, linear marks 29a and 29b, which define the rotational positions of the distal end side cover member 25 and the base end side cover member 26, may be provided so that the restricting concave portions 27 and 28 of the distal end side cover member 25 and the base end side cover member 26 are displaced in the circumferential direction with respect to the restricting convex portions 36 and 37.

These marks 29a and 29b are provided on the outer peripheral surfaces of the distal end side cover member 25 and the proximal end side cover member 26, the outer peripheral surface of the distal end cap 21 of the distal end portion 6, and the outer peripheral surface of the outer sheath 23 of the flexible tube portion 8 by printing, molding, or the like.

(second modification)

As shown in fig. 21, the distal end side cover member 25 may be provided with a stopper 38, the stopper 38 being a projection piece projecting from an end portion facing the restricting convex portion 36, so that the rotational position of the distal end side cover member 25 is defined such that the restricting concave portion 27 is located at a position shifted in the circumferential direction with respect to the restricting convex portion 36.

The rotational position of the distal end side cover member 25 during rotation is defined such that the stopper 38 is in contact with the restricting projection 36 and cannot rotate any further. It is needless to say that the stopper 38 for defining the rotational position may be provided in the base-end cover member 26.

(third modification)

As shown in fig. 22, the distal end cover 21 may be formed as a D-cut flat surface 36a, the flat surface 27a may be formed so that the inner surface of the distal end cover member 25 has a shape similar to the outer surface shape of the distal end cover 21, and the distal end cover member 25 may be held in contact with the distal end cover 21.

The outer surface shape of the distal end cap 21 and the inner surface shape of the distal end side cover member 25 have been described as having similar shapes by the respective flat surfaces 36a and 27a, but the similarity is not limited to substantially the same shape, and may be any shape as long as the distal end side cover member 25 is held in contact with the distal end cap 21.

In contrast to the above embodiments, an embodiment in which the relationship between the projection provided on the outer surface of the insertion portion 2 of the endoscope 1 and the recess provided in the cover member is reversed is also conceivable.

That is, the insertion portion 2 of the endoscope 1 has a recess portion that is radially narrower than other portions in a part of the outer surface in the circumferential direction, and cover members attached so as to cover the adhesive 41 that is the resin portion of the wire bonding portion 40 (the distal end side cover member 25 and the base end side cover member 26 may have a projection portion that is provided so as to protrude from the inner circumferential surface thereof, has a cross-sectional shape substantially similar to that of the recess portion, and is arranged at a position shifted from the recess portion in the circumferential direction of the insertion portion.

As a specific example thereof, as shown in fig. 22, the following structure and the like are considered: the distal end cap 21 is formed into a D-cut flat surface 36a, the flat surface 27a is formed so that the inner surface of the distal end side cover member 25 has a shape similar to the outer surface shape of the distal end cap 21, and the distal end side cover member 25 is held in contact with the distal end cap 21. The effect obtained by this embodiment is also substantially the same as that of the first embodiment.

(second embodiment)

Hereinafter, the endoscope 1 according to the second embodiment of the present embodiment will be described in detail.

In the endoscope 1 of the present embodiment, instead of the restricting convex portions 36 and 37 of the first embodiment, as shown in fig. 23, the linear member 42 of the wire adhering portion 40 that fixes both end portions of the bending portion skin 22 of the bending portion 7 is bent on the surface of the bending portion skin 22 at the end portion 42a where the bending portion skin 22 starts to be wound, and the linear member 42 is wound around the bent end portion 41a to form the restricting convex portion 51 that is partly raised. That is, the linear members 42 are stacked in the radial direction of the insertion portion 2 to form the restricting convex portion 51.

Here, the base end side cover member 26 is also inserted in advance into the flexible tube portion 8 of the insertion portion 2. After the winding adhesive portion 40 for fixing both ends of the bending portion skin 22 is formed, as shown in fig. 24, the distal end side cover member 25 is attached so as to cover the winding adhesive portion 40 on the distal end side by sliding from the distal end side toward the proximal end side.

The base end side cover member 26 is also attached to cover the winding wire adhering portion 40 on the base end side by sliding from the base end side toward the tip end side, similarly to the tip end side cover member 25.

Here, the distal-side cover member 25 is moved toward the proximal side so that the restricting recess 27 is aligned in the circumferential direction so as to coincide with the restricting projection 51 of the wire bonding portion 40 on the distal side, and is attached to a position covering the adhesive 41, which is the resin portion of the wire bonding portion 40 on the distal side, and this adhesive 41 is a resin portion of the wire bonding portion 40 on the distal side.

The base-end-side cover member 26 is moved toward the distal end side so that the restricting recess 28 is aligned with the restricting projection 51 of the base-end-side wire bonding portion 40 in the circumferential direction, and is attached to the position of the adhesive covering the base-end-side wire bonding portion 40.

As shown in fig. 25, the distal-side cover member 25 and the proximal-side cover member 26 are rotated at a predetermined angle around the outer periphery of the bending portion skin 22 of the bending portion 7 to positions where the respective restricting concave portions 27 and 28 are circumferentially shifted from the restricting convex portion 51.

Thus, the restricting recess 27 of the distal-side cover member 25 is circumferentially displaced from the restricting projection 51 on the distal side, and the restricting recess 28 of the proximal-side cover member 26 is circumferentially displaced from the restricting projection 51 on the proximal side.

At this time, the distal end side cover member 25 and the proximal end side cover member 26 are attached to predetermined appropriate positions covering the wire bonding portion 40 in a state where the inner peripheral surfaces thereof are in contact with the restricting convex portions 51.

Then, the adhesive 41a that has overflowed from both ends of the distal-side cover member 25 and the proximal-side cover member 26 is wiped off by the waste cloth 100 or the like.

During the wiping operation of the adhesive 41a that has overflowed, the distal end side cover member 25 and the proximal end side cover member 26 are pressed in the inner radial direction by the respective inner surfaces coming into contact with the restricting convex portions 51 that are raised at both ends of the bending portion skin 22, and are held without moving in the front-rear direction and without rotating.

The adhesive 41 of the wire bonding portion 40 is heat cured, and the distal end side cover member 25 and the proximal end side cover member 26 are fixed to the wire bonding portion 40.

As such a configuration, the endoscope 1 of the present embodiment is also provided with the distal end side cover member 25 and the proximal end side cover member 26, which prevent deterioration due to a chemical solution or the like when cleaning and sterilizing the wire-bonded portion 40 that bonds the both end portions of the bending portion skin 22 as the bending portion outer skin, and which can wipe off the excess adhesive agent 41a of the wire-bonded portion 40 in the assembly of the distal end side cover member 25 and the proximal end side cover member 26 in a short time, thereby improving workability.

(modification example)

As shown in fig. 27, the distal end side cover member 25 is an elliptical ring-shaped member having a predetermined length X of the minor axis and a predetermined length Y of the major axis of the inner surface (X < Y), and may be attached to the wire bonding section 40 so as to be crushed and deformed by applying a predetermined force F in the inner radial direction along the major axis of the length Y, as shown in fig. 28.

As shown in fig. 29, the winding portion around which the linear member 42 of the winding adhesive portion 40 is wound has a predetermined outer diameter D that is longer than a predetermined length X (D > X) and shorter than a predetermined length Y (D < Y).

Therefore, the front end side cover member 25 attached to the winding wire adhering portion 40 generates a predetermined restoring force R in the short axis direction, and the inner surface presses the winding wire portion, whereby the restricting concave portion 27 is held in a state of not moving in the front-rear direction and not rotating even in a state of not being displaced in the circumferential direction with respect to the restricting convex portion 51.

Here, only the distal-side cover member 25 is illustrated, but the proximal-side cover member 26 may be configured similarly.

(third embodiment)

Hereinafter, the endoscope 1 according to the third embodiment of the present embodiment will be described in detail.

The endoscope 1 here has the following structure: the linear member 42 of the wire-wound adhesive section 40 described in the second embodiment, which fixes both end portions of the curved portion skin 22 of the curved portion 7, is started to be wound around the end portion 42a of the curved portion skin 22, and is bent on the surface of the curved portion skin 22, and the linear member 42 is wound around the bent end portion 42a to form the restricting convex portion 51 which is partly raised.

As shown in fig. 30 and 31, the distal end side cover member 25 and the proximal end side cover member 26 of the endoscope 1 have a 2-body structure.

Specifically, the distal end side cover member 25 is formed in a ring shape by connecting a first distal end side cover member 25a having an arc-shaped cross section and a second distal end side cover member 25b having an arc-shaped cross section.

The first distal end side cover member 25a is provided with the restricting recess 27, the female side stepped portion 52 having the outer side notched is formed at both end portions, and the locking hole portion 53 is formed at the female side stepped portion 52. Further, the second distal end side cover member 25b is formed with a male stepped portion 54 by cutting the inside of both end portions thereof, and a locking pin 55 protruding from the inner surface of the male stepped portion 54 is provided.

The first distal-side cover member 25a and the second distal-side cover member 25b are coupled to each other by engaging the female-side stepped portion 52 with the male-side stepped portion 54 and fitting the engagement pin 55 into the engagement hole 53, thereby forming the annular distal-side cover member 25.

The first distal end side cover member 25a of the distal end side cover member 25 is fitted in a position covering the adhesive 41 from the outer peripheral direction of the bending portion 7 so that the restriction concave portion 27 is aligned with the restriction convex portion 51 of the distal end side wire bonding portion 40, and the adhesive 41 is a resin portion of the distal end side wire bonding portion 40.

The second distal end cover member 25b of the distal end cover member 25 is coupled to the first distal end cover member 25a from the other direction of the outer periphery of the bending portion 7 and attached thereto. In this way, the distal end side cover member 25 is attached so as to cover the winding wire adhering portion 40 on the distal end side.

The base-side cover member 26 is formed in a ring shape by connecting a first base-side cover member 26a having an arc-shaped cross section and a second base-side cover member 26b having an arc-shaped cross section.

The first base end side cover member 26a is provided with the restricting recess 28, and a female side stepped portion 56 having an outer side cut is formed at both end portions, and a locking hole portion 57 is formed at the female side stepped portion 56. Further, the inside of both end portions of the second base end side cover member 26b is notched to form a male side stepped portion 58, and a locking pin 59 protruding from the inner surface of the male side stepped portion 58 is provided.

The first base-side cover member 26a and the second base-side cover member 26b are coupled to each other by engaging the female stepped portion 56 with the male stepped portion 58 and engaging the engagement pin 59 with the engagement hole 57, thereby forming the annular base-side cover member 26.

The first base end side cover member 26a of the base end side cover member 26 is fitted in a position covering the adhesive 41 from the outer peripheral direction of the bending portion 7 so that the restriction concave portion 28 is aligned with the restriction convex portion 51 of the base end side wire bonding portion 40, and the adhesive 41 is a resin portion of the tip end side wire bonding portion 40.

The second base-side cover member 26b of the base-side cover member 26 is coupled to the first base-side cover member 26a from the outside of the bending portion 7 and attached thereto. In this way, the base end side cover member 26 is attached so as to cover the winding adhesive portion 40 on the base end side.

The distal-side cover member 25 and the proximal-side cover member 26 attached so as to cover the wire-wound adhesive portion 40 are rotated at a predetermined angle around the outer periphery of the bending portion skin 22 of the bending portion 7 to positions where the respective restricting concave portions 27, 28 are circumferentially displaced from the restricting convex portion 51.

Then, as shown in fig. 32, the adhesive 41a that has overflowed from both ends of the distal-side cover member 25 and the proximal-side cover member 26 is wiped off by the waste cloth 100 or the like.

During the wiping operation of the adhesive 41a that has overflowed, the distal end side cover member 25 and the proximal end side cover member 26 are pressed in the inner radial direction by the respective inner surfaces coming into contact with the restricting convex portions 51 that are raised at both ends of the bending portion skin 22, and are held without moving in the front-rear direction and without rotating.

The adhesive 41 of the wire bonding portion 40 is heat cured, and the distal end side cover member 25 and the base end side cover member 26 are fixed to the wire bonding portion 40 as shown in fig. 33.

As such a configuration, the endoscope 1 of the present embodiment is also provided with the distal end side cover member 25 and the proximal end side cover member 26, which prevent deterioration due to a chemical solution or the like when cleaning and sterilizing the wire-wound bonded portion 40 that bonds the both end portions of the bending portion skin 22 as the bending portion outer skin, and which can wipe off the excess adhesive agent 41a of the wire-wound bonded portion 40 in the assembly of the distal end side cover member 25 and the proximal end side cover member 26 in a short time, thereby improving workability, as in the first and second embodiments described above.

(first modification)

As shown in fig. 34 to 36, in the endoscope 1 provided with the restricting convex portions 36, 37 described in the first embodiment, the distal end side cover member 25 and the base end side cover member 26 may have a 2-body structure. Here, the restricting recesses 26 and 27 may not be provided in the first distal-side cover member 25a and the first base-side cover member 26 a.

(second modification)

As shown in fig. 37, a plurality of holes 61, in this case 2 holes 61, may be formed in the first distal end side cover member 25a and the second distal end side cover member 25b of the distal end side cover member 25, and as shown in fig. 38, the adhesive 40 in the wire bonding portion 40 may be discharged from the 4 holes 61 as much as possible of the adhesive 41 a. As shown in fig. 39, the excess adhesive 41a discharged from the 4 holes 61 is wiped off by the waste cloth 100 or the like.

In addition, although only the distal end side cover member 25 is illustrated here, it is needless to say that a plurality of holes 61 may be formed in the first proximal end side cover member 26a and the second proximal end side cover member 26b of the proximal end side cover member 26.

(third modification)

As shown in fig. 40, an L-shaped groove 62 that opens at the end on the distal end side may be formed on the inner surface side of the first distal end side cover member 25a and the second distal end side cover member 25b of the distal end side cover member 25, and as shown in fig. 41, the adhesive 41 of the wire bonding portion 40 may discharge an excess adhesive 41a from the opening of the groove 62.

That is, by providing the groove portions 62 on the inner peripheral surfaces of the first and second distal end side cover members 25a and 25b, the adhesive 41a that has overflowed is guided so that an appropriate amount of the adhesive remains on the bonding surface when the distal end side cover members 25 are correctly arranged.

Then, as shown in fig. 42, the excess adhesive 41a discharged from the openings of the groove portions 62 is wiped off by the waste cloth 100 or the like.

Here, only the distal end side cover member 25 is illustrated, but it is needless to say that the groove portion 62 may be formed so as to be open at the end portion from the inner surfaces of the first proximal end side cover member 26a and the second proximal end side cover member 26b of the proximal end side cover member 26.

(fourth modification)

As shown in fig. 42, the inner diameter D of the distal end side cover member 25 in the state in which the first distal end side cover member 25a and the second distal end side cover member 25b are coupled may be set smaller than the predetermined outer diameter D of the winding portion around which the linear member 42 of the wire adhering portion 40 is wound (D < D), as shown in fig. 43.

Thus, the inner surface of the distal end side cover member 25 presses the winding portion in the inner radial direction in a state where the first distal end side cover member 25a and the second distal end side cover member 25b are coupled and attached to the winding wire adhering portion 40, and even if the restricting concave portion 27 is not circumferentially displaced with respect to the restricting convex portion 51, the restricting concave portion is held without moving in the front-rear direction and rotating.

Here, only the distal-side cover member 25 is illustrated, but the proximal-side cover member 26 may be configured similarly.

(fifth modification)

As described above, when the distal-side cover member 25 and the proximal-side cover member 26 have a 2-piece structure, the linear member 42 of the wire bonding portion 40 may be formed by 2-rewinding and may be formed as the restricting convex portion 65 protruding around the outer periphery, as shown in fig. 45 and 46.

The invention described in the above embodiments and modifications is not limited to these embodiments and modifications, and various modifications can be made in the implementation stage without departing from the spirit thereof. In the above-described embodiment and modification, inventions in various stages are included, and various inventions can be extracted by appropriate combinations of a plurality of disclosed constituent elements.

For example, even if some of the constituent elements shown in the embodiments and the modifications are deleted, the problem can be solved, and when the effect can be obtained, a configuration in which the constituent elements are deleted can be extracted as an invention.