JP2004298446A

JP2004298446A - Endoscope

Info

Publication number: JP2004298446A
Application number: JP2003095903A
Authority: JP
Inventors: Hirotomo Itoi; 啓友糸井
Original assignee: Fuji Photo Optical Co Ltd
Current assignee: Fujinon Corp
Priority date: 2003-03-31
Filing date: 2003-03-31
Publication date: 2004-10-28
Anticipated expiration: 2023-03-31
Also published as: JP4409844B2

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To further reduce the diameter of an endoscope since the number of wires arranged in an insertion part can be reduced. <P>SOLUTION: For example a second curved part 116b constituting a curved part of the endoscope 100 is equipped with a draw wire 136b which has a curving characteristic elastic to one direction beforehand, is disposed over the second curved part and an operation part 112, and pulls the second curved part to the direction opposite to the curving characteristic, and an adjusting spring 146b which is disposed in the operation part, is connected to the draw wire, and gives a pulling force to the draw wire so that the second curved part is balanced in the straight state. Curving operation of the second curved part to two directions can be executed by performing advancing and retreating operation of one draw wire via an operation wire 126b by rotating a take-up wheel 124b by a curving operation lever 125b in the operation part. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は，本発明は内視鏡に係り、特に挿入部内に配設された牽引ワイヤを進退させることにより内視鏡の湾曲部を所望の方向に湾曲操作可能な内視鏡に関する。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
内視鏡の挿入部は，その先端側に湾曲部を介して先端部を設けて構成され，この湾曲部をワイヤにより湾曲操作することにより，先端部の方向を所望の方向に変えられるようになっている。湾曲部をワイヤにより操作するものとしては例えば特許文献１に記載のような技術がある。
【０００３】
内視鏡の湾曲部としては，特許文献１に記載したものの他，それぞれ２方向に湾曲する２つの湾曲部を長手方向に連設したものがある。これによれば，挿入部の軸方向をずらして観察することができるので，肺などの分岐が多い体内の観察に便利である。
【０００４】
このような内視鏡は，例えば図１３に示すように構成される。内視鏡１０は，主として操作部１２と，この操作部１２に連結され体内に挿入される可撓性を有する挿入部１４から構成される。この挿入部１４は，操作部１２に連結された可撓性を有する軟性部１５と，この軟性部１５の先端側に連結された屈曲自在な湾曲部１６と，この湾曲部１６の先端に連結された先端部１８とから構成される。湾曲部１６は，第１湾曲部１６ａとこれに連設する第２湾曲部１６ｂとからなる。また，上記挿入部１４の内部には，例えばライトガイド，固体撮像装置に接続される信号ケーブル，送気・送水管，吸引管等の様々な内容物が配設されている。
【０００５】
上記操作部１２のケーシング１３内には地板２０が設けられている。この地板２０の一方の側面には，第１湾曲部１６ａを２方向に湾曲操作する湾曲操作機構が取付けられており，地板２０の他方の側面には，第２湾曲部１６ｂを２方向に湾曲操作する湾曲操作機構が取付けられている。
【０００６】
これら湾曲操作機構は，同様の構成であるため，例えば第２湾曲部１６ｂの湾曲操作機構について代表して説明する。地板２０に取付けられた巻取車（例えばプーリ）２４には，操作ワイヤ２６が掛けられており，操作ワイヤ２６は巻取車２４に対して固定されている。操作ワイヤ２６の両端部２８，３０は操作部１２の先端側へ延出している。この操作ワイヤ２６の両端部２８，３０はそれぞれスライド部３２，３４を介して，牽引ワイヤ３６，３８に接続されている。
【０００７】
牽引ワイヤ３６，３８はそれぞれ圧縮コイルバネ４０，４２内を通って，第２湾曲部１６ｂの先端部に固定されている。圧縮コイルバネ４０，４２の基端は取付部材４４，４６によって地板２０に固定されており，圧縮コイルバネ４０，４２の先端は第２湾曲部１６ｂの基端部に固定されている。これにより，牽引ワイヤ３６，３８が圧縮コイルバネ４０，４２に対して進退すると，第２湾曲部１６ｂは２方向に湾曲する。
【０００８】
上記巻取車２４には湾曲操作レバー５２が取付けられ，湾曲操作レバー５２を回動することにより，巻取車２４を回動することができるようになっている。操作ワイヤ２６は巻取車２４に固定されているので，湾曲操作レバー５２を操作部１１２の前後に回動すると，巻取車２４が回動し，それに応じて操作ワイヤ２６の両端部２８，３０は進退する。これにより，牽引ワイヤ３６，３８が交互に進退して，第２湾曲部１６ｂが２方向に湾曲する。
【０００９】
【特許文献１】
特開２００１−０５４５０１号公報
【００１０】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
しかしながら，このような内視鏡では，上下左右の４方向に湾曲させるのに，合計４本の牽引ワイヤ３６，３８を挿入部１４内に通さなければならない。さらに，各湾曲部１６ａ，１６ｂをそれぞれ左右上下の４方向に湾曲させるようにするには，１６本の牽引ワイヤを挿入部１４内に通さなければならない。これでは，内視鏡の挿入部が大径化してしまう。
【００１１】
そこで，本発明は，このような問題に鑑みてなされたもので，その目的とするところは，湾曲部を１本の牽引ワイヤで２方向の湾曲操作を可能とすることにより，挿入部内に配設するワイヤの数を減らすことができるので，内視鏡をさらに細経化することができる内視鏡を提供することにある。
【００１２】
【課題を解決するための手段】
上記課題を解決するために，本発明のある観点によれば，操作部に連設した挿入部に，前記操作部から湾曲操作可能な湾曲部を有する内視鏡であって，前記湾曲部は，予め一方向に弾性的な曲り特性を有し，前記湾曲部から前記操作部にわたって設けられ，前記湾曲部をその曲り特性とは反対方向に引張る牽引ワイヤと，前記操作部に設けられて前記牽引ワイヤに接続し，前記湾曲部がまっすぐになった状態で釣合うように前記牽引ワイヤに引張力を付与する調整用弾性部材と，前記操作部に設けられて前記牽引ワイヤを進退操作可能な牽引ワイヤ操作手段とを設けたことを特徴とする内視鏡が提供される。
【００１３】
このような本発明によれば，湾曲部の湾曲操作がされていない状態では，予め曲り特性を有する湾曲部の弾性力と，調整用弾性部材によって牽引ワイヤに付与される引張力とが釣合うため，湾曲部がまっすぐの状態（湾曲していない状態）となる。この状態から牽引ワイヤ操作手段によって牽引ワイヤを進退操作することにより，湾曲部を湾曲操作することができる。例えば牽引ワイヤを退方向（引張る方向）に操作することにより，湾曲部が有する曲り特性の方向への弾性力に抗して，その曲り特性の方向とは逆側に湾曲させることができる。また，牽引ワイヤを進方向（押出す方向）に操作することにより，湾曲部が有する曲り特性の弾性力は解放されるので，その曲り特性の方向へ湾曲させることができる。
【００１４】
このように，湾曲部の湾曲操作がされていない状態で，湾曲部がまっすぐになるように，予め一方向の曲り特性を有する湾曲部の弾性力と，調整用弾性部材によって牽引ワイヤに付与される引張力とを釣合わせることにより，１本の牽引ワイヤで２方向の湾曲操作が可能となる。従って，従来に比して牽引ワイヤの数を減らすことができるので，内視鏡の細径化を図ることができる。
【００１５】
また，前記湾曲部は，その長手方向に沿って予め一方向に弾性的な曲り特性を有する湾曲弾性部材を設けてもよい。このような湾曲弾性部材を設けることにより，湾曲部に曲り特性を付与することができる。
【００１６】
また，前記調整用弾性部材の引張力を調整する調整手段を設けてもよい。この調整手段により調整用弾性部材の引張力を微調整することができ，湾曲部をまっすぐな状態になるように正確に調整することができる。例えば内視鏡の使用を重ねることにより牽引ワイヤや調整用弾性部材に伸びが生じたときに，その伸びを吸収するように微調整することができる。
【００１７】
上記課題を解決するために，本発明の別の観点によれば，操作部に連設した挿入部に，前記操作部から湾曲操作可能な湾曲部を有する内視鏡であって，前記湾曲部は，その基端側の第１湾曲部と，この第１湾曲部の先端に設けられた第２湾曲部とにより構成し，前記第１湾曲部は，予め一方向に弾性的な曲り特性を有するとともに，前記第２湾曲部も，予め一方向に弾性的な曲り特性を有し，前記第１湾曲部から前記操作部にわたって設けられ，前記第１湾曲部をその曲り特性とは反対方向に引張る第１牽引ワイヤと，前記操作部に設けられて前記第１牽引ワイヤに接続し，前記第１湾曲部がまっすぐになった状態で釣合うように前記第１牽引ワイヤに引張力を付与する第１調整用弾性部材と，前記第１操作部に設けられて前記第１牽引ワイヤを進退操作可能な第１牽引ワイヤ操作手段と，前記第２湾曲部から前記操作部にわたって設けられ，前記第２湾曲部をその曲り特性とは反対方向に引張る第２牽引ワイヤと，前記操作部に設けられて前記第２牽引ワイヤに接続し，前記第２湾曲部がまっすぐになった状態で釣合うように前記第２牽引ワイヤに引張力を付与する第２調整用弾性部材と，前記第２操作部に設けられて前記第２牽引ワイヤを進退操作可能な第２牽引ワイヤ操作手段とを設けたことを特徴とする内視鏡が提供される。
【００１８】
このような本発明によれば，湾曲部の湾曲操作がされていない状態では，予め曲り特性を有する各湾曲部の弾性力と，各調整用弾性部材によって各牽引ワイヤに付与される引張力とが釣合うため，各湾曲部がまっすぐの状態（湾曲していない状態）となる。この状態から所望の牽引ワイヤ操作手段によって対応する牽引ワイヤを進退操作することにより，所望の湾曲部を湾曲操作することができる。
【００１９】
このように，各湾曲部の湾曲操作がされていない状態で，各湾曲部がまっすぐになるように，それぞれ予め一方向の曲り特性を有する湾曲部の弾性力と，調整用弾性部材によって牽引ワイヤに付与される引張力とを釣合わせることにより，各湾曲部をそれぞれ１本の牽引ワイヤで２方向に湾曲操作可能となる。従って，従来に比して牽引ワイヤの数を減らすことができるので，内視鏡の細径化を図ることができる。
【００２０】
また，前記第１湾曲部は，その長手方向に沿って予め一方向に弾性的な曲り特性を有する第１湾曲弾性部材を設け，前記第２湾曲部は，その長手方向に沿って前記第１湾曲部とは異なる一方向に予め弾性的な曲り特性を有する第２湾曲弾性部材を設けてもよい。これにより，第１湾曲部と第２湾曲部とは異なる方向にそれぞれ湾曲操作可能となる。
【００２１】
また，前記第２牽引ワイヤは，前記第１湾曲部の内部において前記第１湾曲弾性部材の近傍を通るようにすることが好ましい。これにより，第１湾曲部が湾曲したときに，第２湾曲部の牽引ワイヤやこの牽引ワイヤを通す圧縮コイルバネなどに影響を与えないようにすることができる。
【００２２】
また，前記第１調整用弾性部材の引張力を調整する第１調整手段と，前記第２調整用弾性部材の引張力を調整する第２調整手段とを設けてもよい。各調整手段により各調整用弾性部材の引張力を微調整することができ，湾曲部をまっすぐな状態になるように正確に調整することができる。
【００２３】
【発明の実施の形態】
以下に添付図面を参照しながら，本発明にかかる内視鏡の好適な実施の形態について詳細に説明する。なお，本明細書及び図面において，実質的に同一の機能構成を有する構成要素については，同一の符号を付することにより重複説明を省略する。
【００２４】
図１は，本発明の実施形態にかかる内視鏡の概略構成を示す図である。内視鏡１００は，主として操作部１１２と，この操作部１１２に連結され体内に挿入される可撓性を有する挿入部１１４から構成される。この挿入部１１４は，操作部１１２に連結された可撓性を有する軟性部１１５と，この軟性部１１５の先端側に連結された屈曲自在な湾曲部１１６と，この湾曲部１１６の先端に連結された先端部１１８とから構成される。湾曲部１１６は，さらに第１湾曲部１１６ａとこれに連設する第２湾曲部１１６ｂとからなる。また，上記挿入部１４の内部には，例えばライトガイド，固体撮像装置に接続される信号ケーブル，送気・送水管，吸引管等の様々な内容物が配設されている。
【００２５】
上記操作部１１２のケーシング１１３内にはこのケーシング１１３のほぼ先端から後端にわたって地板１２０が設けられている。この地板１２０の一方の側面には，第１湾曲部１１６ａを２方向に湾曲操作する第１湾曲操作機構が取付けられており，地板１２０の他方の側面には，第２湾曲部１１６ｂを２方向に湾曲操作する第２湾曲操作機構が取付けられている。なお，第１湾曲操作機構は，図１においては地板１２０によりほとんど隠れており，図２においては構成を省略している。
【００２６】
上記第１曲操作機構及び第２湾曲操作機構は，同様の構成であるため，以下に，第２湾曲操作機構について代表して説明し，第１湾曲操作機構については説明を省略する。図１〜図１２においては，便宜上，各湾曲操作機構について同様の機能を有する部分には同一符号の数字を付し，さらに第１湾曲操作機構については符号の数字に添字ａを付けた符号とし，第２湾曲操作機構については符号の数字に添字ｂを付けた符号としている。なお，添字ａ，ｂをつけない場合は，第１湾曲操作機構と第２湾曲操作機構の両方のものを代表して示しているものとする。
【００２７】
上記操作部１１２の地板１２０には，湾曲操作レバー１２５ｂにより回動可能な巻取車（例えばプーリ）１２４ｂが取付けられている。この巻取車１２４ｂには，操作ワイヤ１２６ｂが掛けられている。操作ワイヤ１２６ｂは，固定部材１２７ｂにより，巻取車１２４ｂに対して少なくとも１カ所固定されている。これは湾曲操作レバー１２５ｂを介して巻取車１２４ｂを回動させたときに，操作ワイヤ１２６ｂと巻取車１２４ｂとがスリップしないためである。なお，操作ワイヤ１２６ｂの移動量は，巻取車１２４ｂの径に依存する。すなわち，操作ワイヤ１２６ｂの移動量は，巻取車１２４ｂの外周の１／４程度の長さとなる。
【００２８】
上記操作ワイヤ１２６ｂの両端には，それぞれ球状の止め部材が取付けられており，これら止め部材はそれぞれ操作ワイヤ１２６ｂの端部１３０ｂ，１４０ｂを構成する。操作ワイヤ１２６の端部１３０ｂ，１４０ｂは，ともに操作部１１２の先端側へ延出している。操作ワイヤ１２６の片方の端部１４０ｂは，コロ部材１３９ｂを介して操作部１１２の先端側へ延出している。これにより，巻取車１２４ｂから延出した操作ワイヤ１２６の端部１３０ｂ，１４０ｂは略平行になる。
【００２９】
操作ワイヤ１２６ｂの一方の端部１３０ｂは，牽引ワイヤ１３６ｂなどの弛みを吸収するスライド部１３２ｂを介して，牽引ワイヤ１３６ｂに接続されている。牽引ワイヤ１３６ｂは圧縮コイルバネ１３８ｂ内を通って，圧縮コイルバネ１３８ｂとともに挿入部１１４内に配設される。圧縮コイルバネ１３８ｂの基端は取付部材１３９ｂによって地板１２０に固定されている。牽引ワイヤ１３６ｂと圧縮コイルバネ１３８ｂの先端は第２湾曲部１１６ｂに取付けられる。なお，牽引ワイヤ１３６ｂと圧縮コイルバネ１３８ｂの先端の取付部分の詳細は後述する。
【００３０】
一方，操作ワイヤ１２６ｂの他方の端部１４０ｂは，スライド部１４２ｂを介して調整用弾性部材例えば調整用バネ１４６ｂの一端に接続している。調整用バネ１４６ｂの他端は，調整用バネ１４６ｂの付勢力（弾性力）を調整する調整手段１５０ｂを介して固定部材１４８ｂにより地板１２０に固定されている。調整手段１５０ｂは第２調整手段を構成し，調整手段１５０ａは第１構成手段を構成する。
【００３１】
このように，操作ワイヤ１２６ｂの一方の端部１３０ｂは牽引ワイヤ１３６ｂに接続され，操作ワイヤ１２６ｂの他方の端部１４０ｂは調整用バネ１４６ｂを介して固定されているので，湾曲操作レバー１２５ｂにより巻取車１２４ｂを回動操作することにより，操作ワイヤ１２６ｂを介して牽引ワイヤ１３６ｂを進退操作することができる（牽引ワイヤ操作手段の例）。
【００３２】
調整手段１５０ｂは，図１，図２に示すように調整用バネ１４６ｂの他端に接続した調整部材１５２ｂと，この調整部材１５２ｂを進退させて調整用バネ１４６ｂの長さを調整する調整ネジ１５４ｂとを備える。調整部材１５２ｂと固定部材１４８ｂにはネジ孔が形成されており，これらネジ孔に調整ネジ１５４ｂの先端部が装着されている。
【００３３】
調整ネジ１５４ｂは操作部１１２の後端側に向けて延出し，調整ネジ１５４ｂの基端部がケーシング１１３から突出している。この調整ネジ１５４ｂの基端部には，調整用つまみ１５６ｂが設けられている。調整用つまみ１５６ｂにより操作部１１２の外側から調整ネジ１５４ｂを回転させることができる。調整部材１５２ｂは地板１２０に固定されていないので，調整部材１５２ｂは調整ネジ１５４ｂの回転に応じて進退し，調整用バネ１４６ｂの長さが可変する。これにより，調整用バネ１４６ｂの引張力を調整することができる。
【００３４】
上記巻取車１２４ｂには湾曲操作レバー１２５ｂが取付けられ，湾曲操作レバー１２５ｂを回動することにより，巻取車１２４ｂを回動できるようになっている。操作ワイヤ１２６ｂは，巻取車１２４ｂに固定部材１２７ｂによって固定されているので，湾曲操作レバー１２５ｂを前後に回動すると，それに応じて巻取車１２４ｂを介して操作ワイヤ１２６ｂの端部１３０ｂ，１４０ｂも進退する。このとき，操作ワイヤ１２６ｂの一方の端部１４０ｂは調整バネ１４６ｂを介して地板１２０に固定されているので，１本の牽引ワイヤ１３６ｂのみが進退する。本発明では，このような１本の牽引ワイヤ１３６ｂの操作で１つの湾曲部の湾曲操作を行うことができるようにしている。
【００３５】
なお，スライド部材１３２ｂ，１４２ｂは，牽引ワイヤ１３６ｂなどの弛みを吸収するために，操作ワイヤ１２６ｂ，牽引ワイヤ１３６ｂに対する長手方向の遊びを設けるものである。スライド部材１３２ｂ，１４２ｂの内部には操作ワイヤ１２６ｂの軸方向にガイド溝１３１ｂ，１４１ｂが形成されている。操作ワイヤ１２６ｂの端部１３０ｂ，１４０ｂは，ガイド溝１３１ｂ，１４１ｂに沿って進退自在に収容されている。操作ワイヤ１２６ｂの端部１３０ｂ，１４０ｂは，引張られる方向に力が働く場合には，それぞれガイド溝１３１ｂ，１４１ｂの基端側の壁に当接する。スライド部材１３２ｂ，１４２ｂの先端側の壁は，スライド調整ネジ１３３ｂ，１４３ｂにより操作ワイヤ１２６ｂの進退方向に移動可能であり，ガイド溝１３１ｂ，１４１ｂの長さ（遊び）を調整できるようになっている。
【００３６】
以上，操作部１１２内に設けられた第２湾曲部１１６ｂの湾曲操作機構について説明したが，第１湾曲部１１６ａの湾曲操作機構の構成も同様である。例えば，図１では，操作部１１２の先端側から第１湾曲部１１６ａの湾曲操作機構における圧縮コイルバネ１３８ａが地板１２０の裏面から圧縮コイルバネ１３８ｂとともに挿入部１１４へ延出している。
【００３７】
ここで，圧縮コイルバネ１３８ｂは操作部１１２の先端の下方から延出しているのに対して，圧縮コイルバネ１３８ａは操作部１１２の先端の上方から延出している。これは，第２湾曲部１１６ｂの湾曲操作機構における圧縮コイルバネ１３８ｂに接続する部分と調整バネｂに接続する部分の配置が，第１湾曲部１１６ａの湾曲操作機構では上下が逆になっているからである。
【００３８】
また，第１湾曲部１１６ａの湾曲操作機構は，湾曲操作レバー１２５ｂとは独立して設けられた湾曲操作レバー１２５ａにより第１湾曲部１１６ａを操作できるようになっている。
【００３９】
次に，本実施の形態にかかる内視鏡の湾曲部内部の構成を図面を参照しながら説明する。第１湾曲部１１６ａと第２湾曲部１１６ｂとは，ほぼ同様の構成であるため，ここでは第１湾曲部１１６ａについて代表して説明する。図３は，内視鏡の湾曲部の要部構成を示す図である。図３は湾曲部の外側カバーを外した状態である。また図３では第２湾曲部１１６ｂについては省略している。図４は先端側リング部材の断面図，図５は中間リング部材の断面図，図６は基端側リング部材の断面図である。
【００４０】
湾曲部１１６ａの骨組は，例えば図３に示すように，予め一方向に湾曲している（予め一方向に曲り特性を有する）湾曲弾性部材例えば湾曲板バネ１６２ａに複数の帯状のリング部材を配置して構成される。リング部材としては，第１湾曲部１１６ａの最も先端側に配置される先端側リング部材１６４ａ，第１湾曲部１１６ａの最も基端側に配置される基端側リング部材１６８ａ，先端側リング部材１６４ａと基端側リング部材１６８ａの中間に配置される複数の中間リング部材１６６ａがある。これらの各リング部材１６４ａ，１６６ａ，１６８ａは，湾曲板バネ１６２に溶接して固定する。その他，各リング部材１６４ａ，１６６ａ，１６８ａは，かしめ，ネジ止め，半田付けなどで湾曲板バネ１６２に固定してもよい。湾曲板バネ１６２ａは第１湾曲弾性部材の１例であり，湾曲板バネ１６２ｂは第１湾曲弾性部材の１例である。
【００４１】
湾曲板バネ１６２ａは，例えばステンレス材で構成する。その他，湾曲板バネ１６２ａは，燐青銅，スチールなどで構成してもよく，樹脂で構成してもよい。また，各リング部材１６４ａ，１６６ａ，１６８ａは，例えばステンレス材で構成する。
【００４２】
なお，湾曲板バネ１６２ａに各リング部材を固定する場合に限られず，湾曲板バネ１６２ａと各リング部材１６４ａ，１６６ａ，１６８ａは一体で構成してもよい。例えばステンレス材などで構成されたパイプ材から切欠部分を切落すことにより骨組を一体成形し，この骨組を一方向に湾曲し，湾曲した状態で熱処理等を施すことにより，骨組にバネ性（一方向に曲り特性）を予め付与するようにしてもよい。第１湾曲部１１６ａは，基端側リング部材１６８ａを介して軟性部１１５の先端に固定される。
【００４３】
第１湾曲部１１６ａの内部には，図３に示すように第１湾曲部１１６ａを湾曲操作するための牽引ワイヤ１３６ａが湾曲板バネ１６２ａの配置位置に対向する位置に配設されている。この牽引ワイヤ１３６ａは，圧縮コイルバネ１３８ａ内に挿入された状態で操作部１１２の先端から軟性部１１５内に挿入される。そして圧縮コイルバネ１３８ａの先端は基端側リング部材１６８ａに固定され，牽引ワイヤ１３６ａは圧縮コイルバネ１３８ａの先端からさらに延出して，各中間リング部材１６６ａの内面に沿って配置される。そして，牽引ワイヤ１３６ａの先端は，先端側リング部材１６４ａに固定される。
【００４４】
牽引ワイヤ１３６ａ及び圧縮コイルバネ１３８ａは，例えば図４〜図６に示すように各リング部材１６４ａ，１６６ａ，１６８ａにカシメ部を設け，このカシメ部内を通して配設する。図４（ａ）は，図３に示す先端側リング部材１６４ａのＡ−Ａ断面図であり，図４（ｂ）は先端側リング部材１６４ａの軸方向の断面図である。図５（ａ）は，図３に示す中間リング部材１６６ａのＢ−Ｂ断面図であり，図５（ｂ）は中間リング部材１６６ａの軸方向の断面図である。図６は，図３に示す基端側リング部材１６８ａのＣ−Ｃ断面図であり，図６（ｂ）は基端側リング部材１６８ａの軸方向の断面図である。
【００４５】
図４に示すように，牽引ワイヤ１３６ａの先端は，先端側リング部材１６４ａのカシメ部１６５ａにより固定されている。なお，牽引ワイヤ１３６ａの先端は，さらに半田付けなどカシメ部１６５ａにより確実に固定してもよい。
【００４６】
図５に示すように，牽引ワイヤ１３６ａは，中間リング部材１６６ａのカシメ部１６７ａに挿入されている。中間リング部材１６６ａのカシメ部１６７ａは，牽引ワイヤ１３６ａが挿入したときに隙間（遊び）ができる程度の大きさに形成されている。
【００４７】
図６に示すように，圧縮コイルバネ１３８ａの先端は，基端側リング部材１６８ａのカシメ部１６９ａにより固定されている。なお，圧縮コイルバネ１３８ａの先端は，さらに半田付けなどカシメ部１６９ａにより確実に固定してもよい。
【００４８】
このように，第１湾曲部１１６ａは予め一方向に曲り特性を有しているので，何も力が作用しない場合には図３に示すように一方向に湾曲した状態となる。ところが，牽引ワイヤ１３６ａにより引張力が働くと，その引張力に応じて，第１湾曲部１１６ａは，曲り特性の方向とは逆方向に湾曲する。すなわち，牽引ワイヤ１３６ａにより引張力が働くと，曲りが修正されはじめ，ある釣合い位置でまっすぐとなる。その釣合い位置からさらに牽引ワイヤ１３６ａにより引張力が作用すると，曲り特性の方向とは逆方向へ湾曲するようになる。
【００４９】
本実施の形態の内視鏡１００は，このような性質を利用して，第１湾曲部１１６ａの湾曲板バネ１６２ａと，牽引ワイヤ１３６ａに引張力を付与する操作部１１２の調整用バネ１４６ａとを釣合わせることにより，第１湾曲部１１６ａをまっすぐの状態にするものである。
【００５０】
また，圧縮コイルバネ１３８ａの先端は第１湾曲部１１６ａの基端に接続され，牽引ワイヤ１３６ａの先端は第１湾曲部１１６ａの先端に接続されるので，牽引ワイヤ１３６ａを進退操作することにより，第１湾曲部１１６ａのみが湾曲操作される。
【００５１】
次に，上述したような第１湾曲部１１６ａと同様の骨組構造を有する第２湾曲部１１６ｂを第１湾曲部１１６ａの先端に取付けたものを図７に示す。図７に示すように第２湾曲部１１６ｂは，第１湾曲部１１６ａとは，湾曲板バネ１６２ａと牽引ワイヤ１３６ａとの位置関係が逆になるように固定する。すなわち，第１湾曲部１１６ａに対して，第２湾曲部１１６ｂを１８０度回転した状態で取付ける。
【００５２】
第２湾曲部１１６ｂの圧縮コイルバネ１３８ｂは，その内部に牽引ワイヤ１３６ｂが挿入された状態で，第１湾曲部１１６ａの内部を通って配設され，圧縮コイルバネ１３８ｂの先端は第２湾曲部１１６ｂの基端側リング部材１６８ｂに固定される。また，牽引ワイヤ１３６ｂは，圧縮コイルバネ１３８ｂの先端からさらに延出され，各中間リング部材１６６ｂの内面に沿って配置される。そして，牽引ワイヤ１３６ｂの先端は，先端側リング部材１６４ｂに固定される。
【００５３】
このとき，第２湾曲部１１６ｂの圧縮コイルバネ１３８ｂは，第１湾曲部１１６ａの湾曲板バネ１６２ａにできるだけ近い位置に配置する。これにより，第１湾曲部１１６ａが湾曲したときに，第２湾曲部１１６ｂの牽引ワイヤ１３６ｂや圧縮コイルバネ１３８ｂに影響を与えないようにすることができる。
【００５４】
例えば，もし第１湾曲部１１６ａが湾曲する際の曲率中心から湾曲板バネ１６２ａまでの距離と圧縮コイルバネ１３８ｂまでの距離が異なるとすれば，第１湾曲部１１６ａが湾曲したときに圧縮コイルバネ１３８ｂに引張力又は圧縮力が生じる。しかも，上記湾曲板バネ１６２ａまでの距離と圧縮コイルバネ１３８ｂまでの距離の差が大きいほど，圧縮コイルバネ１３８ｂに生じる引張力又は圧縮力は大きくなる。これらの力は第２湾曲部１１６ｂを湾曲させようとする方向と逆方向に働くので，第２湾曲部１１６ｂを湾曲操作し難くなる。
【００５５】
そこで，第１湾曲部１１６ａの湾曲板バネ１６２ａにできるだけ近い位置に配置することにより，第１湾曲部１１６ａが湾曲する際の曲率中心から湾曲板バネ１６２ａまでの距離と圧縮コイルバネ１３８ｂまでの距離とをほぼ同じにすることができるので，第１湾曲部１１６ａが湾曲したときに圧縮コイルバネ１３８ｂに生じる引張力又は圧縮力をほとんどなくすことができる。これにより，第２湾曲部１１６ｂを湾曲操作し易くすることができる。
【００５６】
また，第１湾曲部１１６ａと第２湾曲部１１６ｂはともに，湾曲操作されていない状態（湾曲操作レバー１２５ａ，１２５ｂが中立の状態）でまっすぐになるように，湾曲板バネ１６２ａの張力と調整用バネ１４６ａの張力とを釣合うようにわせるとともに，湾曲板バネ１６２ａの張力と調整用バネ１４６ａの張力とを釣合わせる。すなわち，調整用バネ１４６ａには湾曲板バネ１６２ａの張力と釣合うような弾性力を有するバネを用い，調整用バネ１４６ｂには湾曲板バネ１６２ｂの張力と釣合うような弾性力を有するバネを用いるようにすればよい。
【００５７】
また，第１湾曲部１１６ａと第２湾曲部１１６ｂをまっすぐにさせるための釣合い位置の微調整は，調整用つまみ１５６ａ，１５６ｂにより行うことができる。
【００５８】
次に，第１湾曲部１１６ａと第２湾曲部１１６ｂの組立方法について図面を参照しながら説明する。図８，図９，図１０は，組立ての際の作用説明図である。これら図８，図９は，主要部分の構成を模式的に示したものである。本実施形態における内視鏡１００では，第１湾曲部１１６ａと第２湾曲部１１６ｂはともに予め一方向に曲り特性を有しているため，調整用バネ１４６ａ，１４６ｂにより釣合わせながら組立てると，組立て作業が容易となる。
【００５９】
具体的には，例えば最初に第１湾曲部１１６ａを取付ける場合には，先ず第１湾曲部１１６ａに牽引ワイヤ１３６ａを取付ける。この牽引ワイヤ１３６ａを軟性部１１５に通しながら，第１湾曲部１１６ａを基端側リング部材１６８ａを介して軟性部１１５の先端に取付ける。
【００６０】
次いで，図８（ａ）に示すように牽引ワイヤ１３６ａを基端方向（図示の矢印方向）へ引張ることにより，第１湾曲部１１６ａをまっすぐにしながら，調整用バネ１４６ａと釣合うように牽引ワイヤ１３６ａを操作部１１２内に取付ける。これにより，図８（ｂ）に示すように第１湾曲部１１６ａはまっすぐになった状態で軟性部１１５に取付けられる。
【００６１】
次に，第２湾曲部１１６ｂを第１湾曲部１１６ａに取付ける。すなわち，先ず第２湾曲部１１６ｂに牽引ワイヤ１３６ｂを取付ける。この牽引ワイヤ１３６ｂを第１湾曲部１１６ａ及び軟性部１１５に通しながら，第２湾曲部１１６ｂを基端側リング部材１６８ｂを介して第１湾曲部の先端側リング部材１６４ａに取付ける。
【００６２】
次いで，図９（ａ）に示すように牽引ワイヤ１３６ｂを基端方向（図示の矢印方向）へ引張ることにより，第２湾曲部１１６ｂをまっすぐにしながら，調整用バネ１４６ｂと釣合うように牽引ワイヤ１３６ｂを操作部１１２内に取付ける。これにより，図９（ｂ）に示すように第２湾曲部１１６ｂはまっすぐになった状態で第１湾曲部１１６ａの先端に取付けられる。
【００６３】
このように組立てられた第１湾曲部１１６ａと第２湾曲部１１６ｂは，図１０に示すように，まっすぐな状態となる。
【００６４】
次に，本実施形態にかかる内視鏡１００の湾曲部１１６の作用を図面を参照しながら説明する。図１１，図１２は，湾曲操作された湾曲部１１６の形状のバリエーションを示したものである。
【００６５】
図１０に示すように，巻取車１２４ａが点線矢印方向に回動操作されると，牽引ワイヤ１３６ａが引張られて基端側に後退し，第１湾曲部１１６ａが湾曲板バネ１６２ａの付勢力に抗して湾曲する。巻取車１２４ａが点線矢印方向とは逆方向に回動操作されると，牽引ワイヤ１３６ａが先端側に送出される。これにより，湾曲板バネ１６２ａは解放されるので，湾曲板バネ１６２ａの付勢力によって逆方向に湾曲する。このように，第１湾曲部１１６ａは１本の牽引ワイヤ１３６ａにより２方向に湾曲操作することができる。
【００６６】
また，巻取車１２４ｂが実線矢印方向に回動操作されると，牽引ワイヤ１３６ｂが引張られて基端側に後退し，第１湾曲部１１６ｂが湾曲板バネ１６２ｂの付勢力に抗して湾曲する。巻取車１２４ｂが点線矢印方向とは逆方向に回動操作されると，牽引ワイヤ１３６ｂが先端側に送出される。これにより，湾曲板バネ１６２ｂは解放されるので，湾曲板バネ１６２ｂの付勢力によって逆方向に湾曲する。このように，第２湾曲部１１６ｂは１本の牽引ワイヤ１３６ｂにより２方向に湾曲操作することができる。
【００６７】
例えば，第１湾曲部１１６ａだけを湾曲操作すると，湾曲部１１６の形は図１１（ａ），（ｂ）に示すようになり，第２湾曲部１１６ｂだけを湾曲操作すると，湾曲部１１６の形は図１１（ｃ），（ｄ）に示すようになる。これにより，観察方向を変えることができる。
【００６８】
また，第１湾曲部１１６ａを一方向に湾曲させた状態で，第２湾曲部１１６ｂだけを湾曲操作すると，湾曲部１１６の形は図１２（ａ），（ｂ）に示すようになり，第１湾曲部１１６ａを他方向に湾曲させた状態で，第２湾曲部１１６ｂだけを湾曲操作すると，湾曲部１１６の形は図１２（ｃ），（ｄ）に示すようになる。すなわち，観察方向は前方に向けたままで，軸方向をずらして体内を観察することができる。
【００６９】
このように，本実施形態にかかる内視鏡１００によれば，予め一方向に弾性的な曲り特性を有するように第１湾曲部１１６ａ，第２湾曲部１１６ｂを構成し，これらと釣合うように，操作部１１２内において牽引ワイヤ１３６ａ，１３６ｂに接続する調整用バネ１４６ａ，１４６ｂを設けることにより，合計２本の牽引ワイヤ１３６ａ，１３６ｂだけで各湾曲部１１６ａ，１１６ｂの２方向の湾曲操作を行うことができる。このため，内視鏡の挿入部１１４内には合計２本の牽引ワイヤ１３６ａ，１３６ｂを配設すれば足りるので，挿入部１１４の細径化を図ることができる。
【００７０】
以上，添付図面を参照しながら本発明に係る好適な実施形態について説明したが，本発明は係る例に限定されないことは言うまでもない。当業者であれば，特許請求の範囲に記載された範疇内において，各種の変更例または修正例に想到し得ることは明らかであり，それらについても当然に本発明の技術的範囲に属するものと了解される。
【００７１】
例えば，本実施形態にかかる内視鏡１００では，湾曲部１１６として第２湾曲部１１６ｂを第１湾曲部１１６ａに対して湾曲部１１６の軸を中心に１８０度回転させて接続した場合について説明したが，必ずしもこれに限定されることはなく，湾曲部１１６として第２湾曲部１１６ｂを第１湾曲部１１６ａに対して湾曲部１１６の軸を中心に９０度回転させて接続してもよい。これにより，第２湾曲部１１６ｂは，第１湾曲部１１６ａが湾曲できる２方向とは９０度ずれた２方向に湾曲できる。
【００７２】
また，本実施形態にかかる内視鏡１００では，操作ワイヤ１２６ａ，１２６ｂと巻取車１２４ａ，１２４ｂとの滑りを防止するため，巻取車１２４ａ，１２４ｂに対して操作ワイヤ１２６ａ，１２６ｂを固定部材１２７ｂにより固定するものについて述べたが，必ずしもこれに限定されるものではなく，操作ワイヤ１２６ａ，１２６ｂの代わりにチェーンを使用し，巻取車１２４ａ，１２４ｂの代わりにスプロケットを使用してもよい。また，上記操作ワイヤは１本で構成する場合に限られず２本のワイヤにより構成し，各ワイヤの一端部を上記巻取車に固定し，各他端部をそれぞれ操作部１１２の先端方向へ延出するようにしてもよい。これにより，巻取車に操作ワイヤをより長く巻き付けることができるので，操作ワイヤの移動量を大きくとることができる。
【００７３】
また，本実施形態にかかる内視鏡１００では，地板１２０の両側面にそれぞれ第１湾曲部１１６ａを湾曲操作する第１湾曲操作機構，第２湾曲部１１６ｂを湾曲操作する第２湾曲操作機構を取付ける場合について説明したが，必ずしもこれに限定されるものではなく，地板１２０の片側面に，第１湾曲操作機構，第２湾曲操作機構を２段に重ねて設けてもよい。この場合，各湾曲操作機構を湾曲操作する各湾曲操作レバーの代わりに，各湾曲操作機構を湾曲操作する略円板状の操作つまみをそれぞれ操作部１１２の外側面に重ねて設けてもよい。
【００７４】
さらにまた，本実施形態における内視鏡１００においては，湾曲部１１６を第１湾曲部１１６ａと第２湾曲部１１６ｂを直列に接続して構成した場合について説明したが，必ずしもこれに限定されるものではなく，湾曲部１１６を第１湾曲部のみにより構成し，操作部１１２にはこの第１湾曲部１１６ａを湾曲操作する第１湾曲操作機構のみを設けてもよい。
【００７５】
【発明の効果】
以上詳述したように本発明によれば，例えば１本の牽引ワイヤで１つの湾曲部を２方向に湾曲操作可能とすることにより，牽引ワイヤの数を減らすことができる。これにより，内視鏡の挿入部内に配設するワイヤの数を減らすことができるので，内視鏡をさらに細経化することができる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明の第１の実施形態にかかる内視鏡全体の概略構成を説明する図である。
【図２】同実施形態における第２湾曲部の湾曲操作機構を示す図である。
【図３】同実施形態における第１湾曲部の構成例を示す図である。
【図４】図３に示す先端側リング部材の断面図であり，図４（ａ）は図３のＡ−Ａ断面図であり，図４（ｂ）は軸方向の断面図である。
【図５】図３に示す中間リング部材の断面図であり，図５（ａ）は図３のＢ−Ｂ断面図であり，図５（ｂ）は軸方向の断面図である。
【図６】図３に示す基端側リング部材の断面図であり，図６（ａ）は図３のＣ−Ｃ断面図であり，図６（ｂ）は軸方向の断面図である。
【図７】同実施形態にかかる内視鏡の湾曲部全体の構成を示す斜視図である。
【図８】同実施形態にかかる内視鏡の第１湾曲部を取付ける際の作用説明図である。
【図９】同実施形態にかかる内視鏡の第２湾曲部を取付ける際の作用説明図である。
【図１０】同実施形態にかかる内視鏡の湾曲部全体を示す断面図である。
【図１１】同実施形態における湾曲操作された湾曲部の形状のバリエーションを示す図である。
【図１２】同実施形態における湾曲操作された湾曲部の形状のバリエーションを示す図である。
【図１３】従来の内視鏡全体の概略構成を説明する図である。
【符号の説明】
１００内視鏡
１１２操作部
１１４挿入部
１１５軟性部
１１６湾曲部
１１６ａ第１湾曲部
１１６ｂ第２湾曲部
１１８先端部
１２０地板
１２４ａ第１巻取車
１２４ｂ第２巻取車
１２５ａ，１２５ｂ湾曲操作レバー
１２６ａ，１２６ｂ操作ワイヤ
１２７ａ，１２７ｂ固定部材
１３６ａ，１３６ｂ牽引ワイヤ
１３８ａ，１３８ｂ圧縮コイルバネ
１４６ａ，１４６ｂ調整用バネ
１４８ａ，１４８ｂ固定部材
１５０ａ，１５０ｂ調整手段
１６２ａ，１６２ｂ湾曲板バネ
１６４ａ，１６４ｂ先端側リング部材
１６６ａ，１６６ｂ中間リング部材
１６８ａ，１６８ｂ基端側リング部材[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an endoscope, and more particularly to an endoscope that can bend a bending portion of an endoscope in a desired direction by moving a pulling wire provided in an insertion portion.
[0002]
[Prior art]
The insertion portion of the endoscope is configured by providing a distal end portion via a curved portion on the distal end side, and by bending the curved portion with a wire, the direction of the distal end portion can be changed to a desired direction. Has become. As a technique for operating the bending portion with a wire, for example, there is a technique described in Patent Document 1.
[0003]
As the bending portion of the endoscope, in addition to the bending portion described in Patent Literature 1, there is a bending portion in which two bending portions each bending in two directions are continuously provided in the longitudinal direction. According to this, since it is possible to perform observation while shifting the axial direction of the insertion portion, it is convenient for observing the inside of the body such as the lung that has many branches.
[0004]
Such an endoscope is configured, for example, as shown in FIG. The endoscope 10 mainly includes an operation unit 12 and a flexible insertion unit 14 connected to the operation unit 12 and inserted into the body. The insertion portion 14 has a flexible portion 15 having flexibility connected to the operation portion 12, a bendable bending portion 16 connected to the distal end of the flexible portion 15, and a distal end of the bending portion 16. And the tip portion 18 formed. The bending portion 16 includes a first bending portion 16a and a second bending portion 16b connected to the first bending portion 16a. Various contents such as a light guide, a signal cable connected to the solid-state imaging device, an air / water supply pipe, and a suction pipe are provided inside the insertion section 14.
[0005]
A ground plate 20 is provided in the casing 13 of the operation unit 12. A bending operation mechanism for operating the first bending portion 16a in two directions is attached to one side surface of the base plate 20, and the second bending portion 16b is bent in two directions to the other side surface of the base plate 20. A bending operation mechanism for operation is attached.
[0006]
Since these bending operation mechanisms have the same configuration, for example, the bending operation mechanism of the second bending portion 16b will be described as a representative. An operation wire 26 is hung on a winding wheel (for example, a pulley) 24 attached to the main plate 20, and the operation wire 26 is fixed to the winding wheel 24. Both ends 28 and 30 of the operation wire 26 extend toward the distal end of the operation unit 12. Both ends 28, 30 of the operation wire 26 are connected to pulling wires 36, 38 via slide portions 32, 34, respectively.
[0007]
The pulling wires 36, 38 pass through the compression coil springs 40, 42, respectively, and are fixed to the distal end of the second curved portion 16b. The base ends of the compression coil springs 40 and 42 are fixed to the base plate 20 by mounting members 44 and 46, and the front ends of the compression coil springs 40 and 42 are fixed to the base end of the second curved portion 16b. Accordingly, when the pulling wires 36, 38 advance and retreat with respect to the compression coil springs 40, 42, the second bending portion 16b bends in two directions.
[0008]
A bending operation lever 52 is attached to the winding wheel 24, and by rotating the bending operation lever 52, the winding wheel 24 can be rotated. Since the operation wire 26 is fixed to the winding wheel 24, when the bending operation lever 52 is rotated back and forth with respect to the operation unit 112, the winding wheel 24 is rotated, and accordingly, both ends 28 of the operation wire 26, 30 advances and retreats. As a result, the pulling wires 36 and 38 alternately advance and retreat, and the second bending portion 16b bends in two directions.
[0009]
[Patent Document 1]
JP 2001-054501 A
[0010]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in such an endoscope, a total of four pulling wires 36 and 38 must be passed through the insertion portion 14 to bend in four directions, up, down, left, and right. Further, in order to bend each of the bending portions 16a and 16b in four directions, that is, left, right, up, and down, it is necessary to pass 16 pulling wires through the insertion portion 14. In this case, the diameter of the insertion portion of the endoscope increases.
[0011]
Accordingly, the present invention has been made in view of such a problem, and an object of the present invention is to arrange a bending portion in an insertion portion by enabling a bending operation in two directions with one pulling wire. An object of the present invention is to provide an endoscope that can further reduce the number of wires to be provided, so that the endoscope can be further reduced in diameter.
[0012]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an endoscope having a bending portion that can be bent from the operating portion in an insertion portion connected to the operating portion, wherein the bending portion is A pulling wire having an elastic bending characteristic in one direction in advance, being provided from the bending portion to the operating portion, and being provided in the operating portion, for pulling the bending portion in a direction opposite to the bending characteristic; An adjusting elastic member that is connected to the pulling wire and applies a pulling force to the pulling wire so that the bending portion is balanced in a straightened state; An endoscope provided with pulling wire operating means is provided.
[0013]
According to the present invention, when the bending operation of the bending portion is not performed, the elastic force of the bending portion having the bending characteristic and the tensile force applied to the pulling wire by the adjusting elastic member are balanced. Therefore, the bending portion is in a straight state (a state in which it is not bent). By operating the pulling wire forward and backward by the pulling wire operating means from this state, the bending portion can be bent. For example, by operating the pulling wire in the retreating direction (pulling direction), it is possible to bend in a direction opposite to the direction of the bending characteristic against the elastic force of the bending portion in the direction of the bending characteristic. Further, by operating the pulling wire in the advancing direction (extending direction), the elastic force of the bending characteristic of the bending portion is released, so that the bending portion can be bent in the direction of the bending characteristic.
[0014]
As described above, in a state where the bending portion is not bent, the elastic force of the bending portion having a one-way bending characteristic and the adjusting elastic member are applied to the pulling wire so that the bending portion is straightened. By balancing the pulling force, the bending operation in two directions can be performed with one pulling wire. Therefore, the number of pulling wires can be reduced as compared with the related art, so that the diameter of the endoscope can be reduced.
[0015]
The bending portion may be provided with a bending elastic member having an elastic bending characteristic in one direction in advance along a longitudinal direction thereof. By providing such a bending elastic member, bending characteristics can be imparted to the bending portion.
[0016]
Further, an adjusting means for adjusting a tensile force of the adjusting elastic member may be provided. With this adjusting means, the tensile force of the adjusting elastic member can be finely adjusted, and the curved portion can be accurately adjusted so as to be straight. For example, when the use of the endoscope is repeated, when elongation occurs in the pulling wire or the adjusting elastic member, fine adjustment can be performed so as to absorb the elongation.
[0017]
According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an endoscope having a bending portion that can be bent from the operating portion in an insertion portion connected to the operating portion. Is composed of a first bending portion on the base end side and a second bending portion provided at the distal end of the first bending portion. The first bending portion has an elastic bending characteristic in one direction in advance. In addition, the second bending portion also has an elastic bending characteristic in one direction in advance, is provided from the first bending portion to the operation portion, and moves the first bending portion in a direction opposite to the bending characteristic. A first pulling wire to be pulled and a pulling force applied to the first pulling wire provided on the operation unit and connected to the first pulling wire so that the first bending portion is balanced in a straightened state. A first adjusting elastic member; and a first towing wire provided on the first operating portion. A first pulling wire operating means capable of moving forward and backward, a second pulling wire provided from the second bending portion to the operating portion, and pulling the second bending portion in a direction opposite to the bending characteristic; A second adjusting elastic member that is connected to the second pulling wire and applies a tensile force to the second pulling wire so that the second bending portion is balanced in a straightened state; An endoscope provided with a second pulling wire operating means provided in the two operation units and capable of moving the second pulling wire forward and backward.
[0018]
According to the present invention, when the bending operation of the bending portion is not performed, the elastic force of each bending portion having a bending characteristic in advance and the pulling force applied to each pulling wire by each adjustment elastic member. Are balanced, each curved portion is in a straight state (non-curved state). From this state, the desired bending portion can be bent by operating the corresponding pulling wire by the desired pulling wire operating means.
[0019]
As described above, in a state where the bending operation of each bending portion is not performed, the pulling wire is formed by the elastic force of the bending portion having a bending characteristic in one direction in advance and the adjusting elastic member so that each bending portion is straightened. By balancing the pulling force applied to each bending portion, each bending portion can be bent in two directions with one pulling wire. Therefore, the number of pulling wires can be reduced as compared with the related art, so that the diameter of the endoscope can be reduced.
[0020]
Further, the first bending portion is provided with a first bending elastic member having an elastic bending characteristic in one direction in advance along the longitudinal direction, and the second bending portion is provided with the first bending elastic member along the longitudinal direction. A second bending elastic member having an elastic bending characteristic in one direction different from the bending portion may be provided in advance. Thus, the first bending portion and the second bending portion can be bent in different directions.
[0021]
Preferably, the second pulling wire passes through the vicinity of the first bending elastic member inside the first bending portion. Accordingly, when the first bending portion is bent, it is possible to prevent the pulling wire of the second bending portion and the compression coil spring passing through the pulling wire from being affected.
[0022]
Further, a first adjusting means for adjusting the tensile force of the first adjusting elastic member and a second adjusting means for adjusting the tensile force of the second adjusting elastic member may be provided. The tensile force of each adjusting elastic member can be finely adjusted by each adjusting means, and the curved portion can be accurately adjusted so as to be straight.
[0023]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of an endoscope according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this specification and the drawings, components having substantially the same function and configuration are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted.
[0024]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an endoscope according to an embodiment of the present invention. The endoscope 100 mainly includes an operation unit 112 and a flexible insertion unit 114 connected to the operation unit 112 and inserted into the body. The insertion portion 114 has a flexible soft portion 115 connected to the operation portion 112, a bendable bending portion 116 connected to the distal end side of the flexible portion 115, and a distal end of the bending portion 116. And a tip portion 118 formed. The bending portion 116 further includes a first bending portion 116a and a second bending portion 116b connected to the first bending portion 116a. Various contents such as a light guide, a signal cable connected to the solid-state imaging device, an air / water supply pipe, and a suction pipe are provided inside the insertion section 14.
[0025]
A ground plate 120 is provided in the casing 113 of the operation section 112 from substantially the front end to the rear end of the casing 113. A first bending operation mechanism for operating the first bending portion 116a in two directions is attached to one side surface of the main plate 120, and the second bending portion 116b is mounted on the other side surface of the main plate 120 in two directions. A second bending operation mechanism for performing a bending operation is attached to the second bending operation mechanism. Note that the first bending operation mechanism is almost hidden by the main plate 120 in FIG. 1, and the configuration is omitted in FIG.
[0026]
Since the first music operation mechanism and the second bending operation mechanism have the same configuration, only the second bending operation mechanism will be described below as a representative, and the description of the first bending operation mechanism will be omitted. In FIGS. 1 to 12, for convenience, portions having the same functions in each bending operation mechanism are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the first bending operation mechanism is denoted by the reference numeral with a suffix a. , The second bending operation mechanism is a code obtained by adding a suffix b to the reference numeral. When the subscripts a and b are not added, both the first bending operation mechanism and the second bending operation mechanism are shown as representatives.
[0027]
A take-up wheel (for example, a pulley) 124b that is rotatable by a bending operation lever 125b is attached to the main plate 120 of the operation unit 112. An operation wire 126b is hung on the winding wheel 124b. The operation wire 126b is fixed to at least one position with respect to the winding wheel 124b by a fixing member 127b. This is because the operation wire 126b and the winding wheel 124b do not slip when the winding wheel 124b is rotated via the bending operation lever 125b. The moving amount of the operation wire 126b depends on the diameter of the winding wheel 124b. That is, the movement amount of the operation wire 126b is about の長 of the outer circumference of the winding wheel 124b.
[0028]
Spherical stoppers are attached to both ends of the operation wire 126b, and these stoppers constitute ends 130b and 140b of the operation wire 126b, respectively. Both ends 130b and 140b of the operation wire 126 extend to the distal end side of the operation unit 112. One end 140b of the operation wire 126 extends to the distal end side of the operation unit 112 via a roller member 139b. As a result, the ends 130b and 140b of the operation wire 126 extending from the take-up wheel 124b become substantially parallel.
[0029]
One end 130b of the operation wire 126b is connected to the pulling wire 136b via a slide portion 132b for absorbing slack such as the pulling wire 136b. The pulling wire 136b passes through the compression coil spring 138b and is disposed in the insertion portion 114 together with the compression coil spring 138b. The base end of the compression coil spring 138b is fixed to the main plate 120 by a mounting member 139b. The distal ends of the pulling wire 136b and the compression coil spring 138b are attached to the second curved portion 116b. The details of the mounting portions at the tips of the pulling wire 136b and the compression coil spring 138b will be described later.
[0030]
On the other hand, the other end 140b of the operation wire 126b is connected to one end of an adjustment elastic member, for example, an adjustment spring 146b via a slide portion 142b. The other end of the adjusting spring 146b is fixed to the main plate 120 by a fixing member 148b via adjusting means 150b for adjusting the urging force (elastic force) of the adjusting spring 146b. The adjusting means 150b constitutes a second adjusting means, and the adjusting means 150a constitutes a first constituent means.
[0031]
As described above, the one end 130b of the operation wire 126b is connected to the pulling wire 136b, and the other end 140b of the operation wire 126b is fixed via the adjustment spring 146b. By rotating the pulling wheel 124b, the pulling wire 136b can be moved forward and backward through the operating wire 126b (an example of pulling wire operating means).
[0032]
The adjusting means 150b includes an adjusting member 152b connected to the other end of the adjusting spring 146b as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and an adjusting screw 154b for moving the adjusting member 152b forward and backward to adjust the length of the adjusting spring 146b. And Screw holes are formed in the adjusting member 152b and the fixing member 148b, and the distal ends of the adjusting screws 154b are mounted in these screw holes.
[0033]
The adjustment screw 154b extends toward the rear end of the operation unit 112, and the base end of the adjustment screw 154b protrudes from the casing 113. An adjusting knob 156b is provided at the base end of the adjusting screw 154b. The adjustment screw 154b can be rotated from outside the operation unit 112 by the adjustment knob 156b. Since the adjusting member 152b is not fixed to the main plate 120, the adjusting member 152b moves forward and backward in accordance with the rotation of the adjusting screw 154b, and the length of the adjusting spring 146b is changed. As a result, the tension of the adjusting spring 146b can be adjusted.
[0034]
A bending operation lever 125b is attached to the winding wheel 124b, and the winding wheel 124b can be rotated by rotating the bending operation lever 125b. Since the operation wire 126b is fixed to the take-up wheel 124b by the fixing member 127b, when the bending operation lever 125b is rotated back and forth, the ends 130b and 140b of the operation wire 126b via the take-up wheel 124b accordingly. Also advance and retreat. At this time, since one end 140b of the operation wire 126b is fixed to the base plate 120 via the adjustment spring 146b, only one pulling wire 136b moves forward and backward. According to the present invention, the bending operation of one bending portion can be performed by operating the one pulling wire 136b.
[0035]
The slide members 132b and 142b provide a play in the longitudinal direction with respect to the operation wire 126b and the pulling wire 136b in order to absorb slack of the pulling wire 136b and the like. Guide grooves 131b and 141b are formed in the slide members 132b and 142b in the axial direction of the operation wire 126b. The ends 130b and 140b of the operation wire 126b are accommodated so as to be able to advance and retreat along the guide grooves 131b and 141b. When a force acts in the pulling direction, the ends 130b and 140b of the operation wire 126b abut against the base end walls of the guide grooves 131b and 141b, respectively. The distal end walls of the slide members 132b and 142b can be moved in the advance and retreat direction of the operation wire 126b by slide adjustment screws 133b and 143b, so that the lengths (play) of the guide grooves 131b and 141b can be adjusted. .
[0036]
The bending operation mechanism of the second bending section 116b provided in the operation section 112 has been described above, but the configuration of the bending operation mechanism of the first bending section 116a is also the same. For example, in FIG. 1, the compression coil spring 138a in the bending operation mechanism of the first bending portion 116a extends from the front end side of the operation portion 112 to the insertion portion 114 together with the compression coil spring 138b from the back surface of the main plate 120.
[0037]
Here, the compression coil spring 138b extends from below the tip of the operation unit 112, while the compression coil spring 138a extends from above the tip of the operation unit 112. This is because the arrangement of the portion connected to the compression coil spring 138b and the portion connected to the adjustment spring b in the bending operation mechanism of the second bending portion 116b is upside down in the bending operation mechanism of the first bending portion 116a. It is.
[0038]
Further, the bending operation mechanism of the first bending portion 116a can operate the first bending portion 116a by a bending operation lever 125a provided independently of the bending operation lever 125b.
[0039]
Next, the configuration inside the bending portion of the endoscope according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. Since the first curved portion 116a and the second curved portion 116b have substantially the same configuration, the first curved portion 116a will be described as a representative here. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration of a main part of a bending portion of the endoscope. FIG. 3 shows a state in which the outer cover of the bending portion is removed. In FIG. 3, the second curved portion 116b is omitted. 4 is a sectional view of the distal ring member, FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the intermediate ring member, and FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the proximal ring member.
[0040]
As shown in FIG. 3, for example, the skeleton of the curved portion 116a has a plurality of band-shaped ring members arranged on a curved elastic member, for example, a curved leaf spring 162a, which is curved in one direction in advance (having a characteristic of bending in one direction in advance). It is composed. The ring members include a distal-side ring member 164a disposed at the most distal side of the first curved portion 116a, a proximal-side ring member 168a disposed at the most proximal side of the first curved portion 116a, and a distal-side ring member 164a. And a plurality of intermediate ring members 166a disposed between the base ring member 168a and the base ring member 168a. These ring members 164a, 166a, 168a are fixed to the curved leaf spring 162 by welding. In addition, the ring members 164a, 166a, 168a may be fixed to the curved leaf spring 162 by caulking, screwing, soldering, or the like. The curved leaf spring 162a is an example of a first curved elastic member, and the curved leaf spring 162b is an example of a first curved elastic member.
[0041]
The curved leaf spring 162a is made of, for example, stainless steel. In addition, the curved leaf spring 162a may be made of phosphor bronze, steel, or the like, or may be made of resin. Each of the ring members 164a, 166a, 168a is made of, for example, stainless steel.
[0042]
The present invention is not limited to the case where each ring member is fixed to the curved leaf spring 162a, and the curved leaf spring 162a and each of the ring members 164a, 166a, 168a may be integrally formed. For example, a skeleton is integrally formed by cutting a cutout portion from a pipe material made of stainless steel or the like, and the skeleton is bent in one direction and subjected to a heat treatment or the like in a curved state, so that the skeleton has a springy property. (A bending characteristic in the direction). The first curved portion 116a is fixed to the distal end of the flexible portion 115 via the proximal ring member 168a.
[0043]
As shown in FIG. 3, a pulling wire 136a for bending the first bending portion 116a is disposed inside the first bending portion 116a at a position opposed to the position where the bending leaf spring 162a is arranged. The pulling wire 136a is inserted into the flexible portion 115 from the distal end of the operation portion 112 while being inserted into the compression coil spring 138a. The distal end of the compression coil spring 138a is fixed to the proximal ring member 168a, and the pulling wire 136a further extends from the distal end of the compression coil spring 138a and is disposed along the inner surface of each intermediate ring member 166a. Then, the tip of the pulling wire 136a is fixed to the tip side ring member 164a.
[0044]
The pulling wire 136a and the compression coil spring 138a are provided with a caulking portion on each of the ring members 164a, 166a, 168a as shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, for example, and are disposed through the caulking portion. FIG. 4A is a sectional view taken along line AA of the distal ring member 164a shown in FIG. 3, and FIG. 4B is an axial sectional view of the distal ring member 164a. FIG. 5A is a sectional view of the intermediate ring member 166a shown in FIG. 3 taken along line BB, and FIG. 5B is an axial sectional view of the intermediate ring member 166a. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the proximal ring member 168a shown in FIG. 3, taken along the line CC. FIG. 6B is an axial cross-sectional view of the proximal ring member 168a.
[0045]
As shown in FIG. 4, the distal end of the pulling wire 136a is fixed by a caulking portion 165a of the distal ring member 164a. The leading end of the pulling wire 136a may be further securely fixed by a caulking portion 165a such as soldering.
[0046]
As shown in FIG. 5, the pulling wire 136a is inserted into the swaged portion 167a of the intermediate ring member 166a. The caulking portion 167a of the intermediate ring member 166a is formed to have a size that allows a gap (play) when the pulling wire 136a is inserted.
[0047]
As shown in FIG. 6, the distal end of the compression coil spring 138a is fixed by a caulking portion 169a of the proximal ring member 168a. Note that the tip of the compression coil spring 138a may be further securely fixed by a caulking portion 169a such as soldering.
[0048]
As described above, since the first bending portion 116a has a bending characteristic in one direction in advance, if no force acts, the first bending portion 116a is bent in one direction as shown in FIG. However, when a pulling force acts on the pulling wire 136a, the first bending portion 116a bends in a direction opposite to the direction of the bending characteristic according to the pulling force. That is, when a pulling force is exerted by the pulling wire 136a, the bend begins to be corrected and becomes straight at a certain balancing position. When a pulling force is further applied from the balance position by the pulling wire 136a, the bending characteristic is curved in a direction opposite to the direction of the bending characteristic.
[0049]
The endoscope 100 of the present embodiment utilizes such properties to provide a curved leaf spring 162a of the first bending portion 116a and an adjustment spring 146a of the operation portion 112 for applying a pulling force to the pulling wire 136a. Are balanced to make the first curved portion 116a straight.
[0050]
The distal end of the compression coil spring 138a is connected to the proximal end of the first bending portion 116a, and the distal end of the pulling wire 136a is connected to the distal end of the first bending portion 116a. Only one bending portion 116a is operated to bend.
[0051]
Next, FIG. 7 shows a state where the second bending portion 116b having the same frame structure as the first bending portion 116a described above is attached to the tip of the first bending portion 116a. As shown in FIG. 7, the second curved portion 116b is fixed to the first curved portion 116a so that the positional relationship between the curved leaf spring 162a and the pulling wire 136a is reversed. That is, the second bending portion 116b is attached to the first bending portion 116a while being rotated by 180 degrees.
[0052]
The compression coil spring 138b of the second bending portion 116b is disposed through the inside of the first bending portion 116a with the pulling wire 136b inserted therein, and the tip of the compression coil spring 138b is connected to the second bending portion 116b. It is fixed to the proximal side ring member 168b. Further, the pulling wire 136b further extends from the distal end of the compression coil spring 138b, and is disposed along the inner surface of each intermediate ring member 166b. Then, the tip of the pulling wire 136b is fixed to the tip side ring member 164b.
[0053]
At this time, the compression coil spring 138b of the second curved portion 116b is arranged at a position as close as possible to the curved leaf spring 162a of the first curved portion 116a. Accordingly, when the first bending portion 116a is bent, the pulling wire 136b of the second bending portion 116b and the compression coil spring 138b can be prevented from being affected.
[0054]
For example, if the distance from the center of curvature of the first curved portion 116a to the curved leaf spring 162a and the distance to the compression coil spring 138b are different, when the first curved portion 116a is curved, the compression coil spring 138b is moved. Tensile or compressive forces occur. Moreover, the greater the difference between the distance to the curved leaf spring 162a and the distance to the compression coil spring 138b, the greater the tension or compression force generated in the compression coil spring 138b. Since these forces act in a direction opposite to the direction in which the second bending portion 116b is to be bent, the bending operation of the second bending portion 116b becomes difficult.
[0055]
Therefore, by arranging the first curved portion 116a as close as possible to the curved leaf spring 162a, the distance from the center of curvature when the first curved portion 116a is curved to the curved leaf spring 162a and the distance to the compression coil spring 138b are reduced. Can be made substantially the same, so that the tensile or compressive force generated in the compression coil spring 138b when the first bending portion 116a bends can be almost eliminated. Thereby, the bending operation of the second bending portion 116b can be facilitated.
[0056]
Further, both the first bending portion 116a and the second bending portion 116b adjust the tension of the bent leaf spring 162a and the adjustment so that the first bending portion 116a and the second bending portion 116b become straight when the bending operation is not performed (the bending operation levers 125a and 125b are in a neutral state). The tension of the spring 146a is balanced so that the tension of the curved leaf spring 162a and the tension of the adjustment spring 146a are balanced. That is, a spring having an elastic force that balances the tension of the curved leaf spring 162a is used as the adjustment spring 146a, and a spring having an elastic force that balances the tension of the curved leaf spring 162b is used as the adjustment spring 146b. What is necessary is just to use it.
[0057]
Further, fine adjustment of the balance position for straightening the first curved portion 116a and the second curved portion 116b can be performed by the adjustment knobs 156a and 156b.
[0058]
Next, a method of assembling the first curved portion 116a and the second curved portion 116b will be described with reference to the drawings. FIGS. 8, 9 and 10 are explanatory views of the operation at the time of assembly. FIGS. 8 and 9 schematically show the configuration of the main part. In the endoscope 100 according to the present embodiment, since both the first bending portion 116a and the second bending portion 116b have a bending characteristic in one direction in advance, when the assembly is performed while being balanced by the adjustment springs 146a and 146b, the assembly is performed. Work becomes easy.
[0059]
Specifically, for example, when first attaching the first curved portion 116a, first, the pulling wire 136a is attached to the first curved portion 116a. While passing the pulling wire 136a through the flexible portion 115, the first curved portion 116a is attached to the distal end of the flexible portion 115 via the proximal ring member 168a.
[0060]
Next, as shown in FIG. 8A, the pulling wire 136a is pulled in the proximal direction (the direction of the arrow shown in the drawing), so that the first bending portion 116a is straightened and the pulling wire 136a is balanced with the adjusting spring 146a. 136a is mounted in the operation unit 112. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 8B, the first curved portion 116a is attached to the flexible portion 115 in a straightened state.
[0061]
Next, the second curved portion 116b is attached to the first curved portion 116a. That is, first, the pulling wire 136b is attached to the second curved portion 116b. While passing the pulling wire 136b through the first bending portion 116a and the flexible portion 115, the second bending portion 116b is attached to the distal ring member 164a of the first bending portion via the proximal ring member 168b.
[0062]
Next, as shown in FIG. 9A, the pulling wire 136b is pulled in the proximal direction (the direction of the arrow shown in the drawing), so that the second bending portion 116b is straightened and the pulling wire 136b is balanced with the adjusting spring 146b. 136b is mounted in the operation unit 112. Thus, as shown in FIG. 9B, the second curved portion 116b is attached to the tip of the first curved portion 116a in a straightened state.
[0063]
The first curved portion 116a and the second curved portion 116b assembled as described above are in a straight state as shown in FIG.
[0064]
Next, the operation of the bending portion 116 of the endoscope 100 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. 11 and 12 show variations in the shape of the bending portion 116 that has been bent.
[0065]
As shown in FIG. 10, when the take-up wheel 124a is rotated in the direction indicated by the dotted arrow, the pulling wire 136a is pulled and retracts to the proximal side, and the first bending portion 116a exerts the urging force of the bending leaf spring 162a. Bends against When the take-up wheel 124a is rotated in the direction opposite to the direction of the dotted arrow, the pulling wire 136a is sent to the distal end side. As a result, the curved leaf spring 162a is released, and is bent in the opposite direction by the urging force of the curved leaf spring 162a. Thus, the first bending portion 116a can be bent in two directions by one pulling wire 136a.
[0066]
When the take-up wheel 124b is rotated in the direction indicated by the solid arrow, the pulling wire 136b is pulled and retracts to the proximal side, and the first bending portion 116b bends against the urging force of the bending leaf spring 162b. I do. When the take-up wheel 124b is rotated in the direction opposite to the direction of the dotted arrow, the pulling wire 136b is sent out to the distal end side. As a result, the curved leaf spring 162b is released, and is bent in the opposite direction by the urging force of the curved leaf spring 162b. As described above, the second bending portion 116b can be operated to bend in two directions by one pulling wire 136b.
[0067]
For example, when only the first bending portion 116a is bent, the shape of the bending portion 116 becomes as shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B. When only the second bending portion 116b is bent, the shape of the bending portion 116 is changed. Are as shown in FIGS. 11 (c) and 11 (d). Thereby, the observation direction can be changed.
[0068]
Further, when only the second bending portion 116b is bent while the first bending portion 116a is bent in one direction, the shape of the bending portion 116 becomes as shown in FIGS. 12 (a) and 12 (b). When only the second bending portion 116b is bent while the first bending portion 116a is bent in the other direction, the shape of the bending portion 116 becomes as shown in FIGS. 12C and 12D. That is, it is possible to observe the inside of the body while shifting the axial direction while keeping the observation direction facing forward.
[0069]
As described above, according to the endoscope 100 according to the present embodiment, the first bending portion 116a and the second bending portion 116b are configured so as to have an elastic bending characteristic in one direction in advance, and to be balanced with these. By providing adjusting springs 146a and 146b connected to the pulling wires 136a and 136b in the operation unit 112, the bending operation of the bending portions 116a and 116b in two directions can be performed only by a total of two pulling wires 136a and 136b. It can be carried out. Therefore, it is sufficient to dispose a total of two pulling wires 136a and 136b in the insertion section 114 of the endoscope, so that the diameter of the insertion section 114 can be reduced.
[0070]
As described above, the preferred embodiments according to the present invention have been described with reference to the accompanying drawings, but it is needless to say that the present invention is not limited to the examples. It is clear that a person skilled in the art can conceive various changes or modifications within the scope of the claims, and these naturally belong to the technical scope of the present invention. I understand.
[0071]
For example, in the endoscope 100 according to the present embodiment, a case has been described in which the second bending portion 116b is connected to the first bending portion 116a by rotating the bending portion 116 by 180 degrees around the axis of the bending portion 116 as the bending portion 116. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the second bending portion 116b may be connected to the first bending portion 116a by rotating the second bending portion 116b by 90 degrees about the axis of the bending portion 116 as the bending portion 116. Accordingly, the second bending portion 116b can bend in two directions shifted by 90 degrees from the two directions in which the first bending portion 116a can bend.
[0072]
In addition, in the endoscope 100 according to the present embodiment, the operation wires 126a and 126b are fixed to the winding wheels 124a and 124b in order to prevent the operation wires 126a and 126b from sliding between the winding wheels 124a and 124b. Although the description has been given of the fixing by the 127b, the present invention is not necessarily limited thereto, and a chain may be used instead of the operation wires 126a and 126b, and a sprocket may be used instead of the winding wheels 124a and 124b. The operation wire is not limited to a single wire, but is composed of two wires. One end of each wire is fixed to the winding vehicle, and the other end is directed toward the distal end of the operation unit 112. It may be extended. As a result, the operation wire can be wound longer around the winding vehicle, so that the movement amount of the operation wire can be increased.
[0073]
Further, in the endoscope 100 according to the present embodiment, a first bending operation mechanism for bending the first bending portion 116a and a second bending operation mechanism for bending the second bending portion 116b are provided on both side surfaces of the main plate 120, respectively. Although the case of attachment has been described, the present invention is not necessarily limited to this, and the first bending operation mechanism and the second bending operation mechanism may be provided on one side surface of the main plate 120 in two layers. In this case, instead of the respective bending operation levers for performing the bending operation of the respective bending operation mechanisms, substantially disk-shaped operation knobs for performing the bending operation of the respective bending operation mechanisms may be provided so as to be superposed on the outer surface of the operation unit 112.
[0074]
Furthermore, in the endoscope 100 according to the present embodiment, the case where the bending portion 116 is configured by connecting the first bending portion 116a and the second bending portion 116b in series has been described, but is not necessarily limited to this. Instead, the bending section 116 may be constituted only by the first bending section, and the operating section 112 may be provided with only a first bending operation mechanism for bending the first bending section 116a.
[0075]
【The invention's effect】
As described above in detail, according to the present invention, the number of pulling wires can be reduced by, for example, allowing one bending portion to bend in two directions with one pulling wire. As a result, the number of wires provided in the insertion section of the endoscope can be reduced, so that the endoscope can be further miniaturized.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an entire endoscope according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a bending operation mechanism of a second bending portion in the embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a first bending portion in the embodiment.
4 is a sectional view of the distal end side ring member shown in FIG. 3, FIG. 4 (a) is a sectional view taken along line AA of FIG. 3, and FIG. 4 (b) is a sectional view in the axial direction.
5 is a sectional view of the intermediate ring member shown in FIG. 3, FIG. 5 (a) is a sectional view taken along the line BB of FIG. 3, and FIG. 5 (b) is a sectional view in the axial direction.
6 is a cross-sectional view of the proximal ring member shown in FIG. 3, FIG. 6 (a) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line CC in FIG. 3, and FIG. 6 (b) is a cross-sectional view in the axial direction.
FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a configuration of an entire bending portion of the endoscope according to the embodiment.
FIG. 8 is an operation explanatory diagram when the first bending portion of the endoscope according to the embodiment is attached.
FIG. 9 is an operation explanatory diagram when the second bending portion of the endoscope according to the embodiment is attached.
FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing the entire bending portion of the endoscope according to the embodiment.
FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a variation of the shape of the bending portion that has been bent in the embodiment.
FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a variation of the shape of the bending portion that has been bent in the embodiment.
FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an entire conventional endoscope.
[Explanation of symbols]
100 endoscope
112 Operation unit
114 insertion section
115 Flexible part
116 Bend
116a 1st bending part
116b 2nd bending part
118 Tip
120 main plate
124a First winding truck
124b Second take-up car
125a, 125b Curving operation lever
126a, 126b Operation wire
127a, 127b fixing member
136a, 136b Traction wire
138a, 138b Compression coil spring
146a, 146b Adjusting spring
148a, 148b Fixed member
150a, 150b adjustment means
162a, 162b Curved leaf spring
164a, 164b Tip Ring Member
166a, 166b Intermediate ring member
168a, 168b Base ring member

Claims

操作部に連設した挿入部に，前記操作部から湾曲操作可能な湾曲部を有する内視鏡であって，
前記湾曲部は，予め一方向に弾性的な曲り特性を有し，
前記湾曲部から前記操作部にわたって設けられ，前記湾曲部をその曲り特性とは反対方向に引張る牽引ワイヤと，
前記操作部に設けられて前記牽引ワイヤに接続し，前記湾曲部がまっすぐになった状態で釣合うように前記牽引ワイヤに引張力を付与する調整用弾性部材と，前記操作部に設けられて前記牽引ワイヤを進退操作可能な牽引ワイヤ操作手段と，
を設けたことを特徴とする内視鏡。An endoscope having a bending portion which can be bent from the operation portion, on an insertion portion connected to the operation portion,
The bending portion has an elastic bending characteristic in one direction in advance,
A pulling wire provided from the bending portion to the operation portion, for pulling the bending portion in a direction opposite to a bending characteristic thereof;
An adjusting elastic member that is provided on the operating section, is connected to the pulling wire, and applies a tensile force to the pulling wire so that the bending section is balanced in a straightened state; Pulling wire operating means capable of operating the pulling wire forward and backward;
An endoscope comprising:

前記湾曲部は，その長手方向に沿って予め一方向に弾性的な曲り特性を有する湾曲弾性部材を設けたことを特徴とする請求項１に記載の内視鏡。2. The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the bending portion is provided with a bending elastic member having an elastic bending characteristic in one direction in advance along a longitudinal direction thereof. 3.

前記調整用弾性部材の引張力を調整する調整手段を設けたことを特徴とする請求項１又は２に記載の内視鏡。The endoscope according to claim 1, further comprising an adjustment unit configured to adjust a tensile force of the adjustment elastic member.

操作部に連設した挿入部に，前記操作部から湾曲操作可能な湾曲部を有する内視鏡であって，
前記湾曲部は，その基端側の第１湾曲部と，この第１湾曲部の先端に設けられた第２湾曲部とにより構成し，
前記第１湾曲部は，予め一方向に弾性的な曲り特性を有するとともに，前記第２湾曲部も，予め一方向に弾性的な曲り特性を有し，
前記第１湾曲部から前記操作部にわたって設けられ，前記第１湾曲部をその曲り特性とは反対方向に引張る第１牽引ワイヤと，
前記操作部に設けられて前記第１牽引ワイヤに接続し，前記第１湾曲部がまっすぐになった状態で釣合うように前記第１牽引ワイヤに引張力を付与する第１調整用弾性部材と，
前記第１操作部に設けられて前記第１牽引ワイヤを進退操作可能な第１牽引ワイヤ操作手段と，
前記第２湾曲部から前記操作部にわたって設けられ，前記第２湾曲部をその曲り特性とは反対方向に引張る第２牽引ワイヤと，
前記操作部に設けられて前記第２牽引ワイヤに接続し，前記第２湾曲部がまっすぐになった状態で釣合うように前記第２牽引ワイヤに引張力を付与する第２調整用弾性部材と，
前記第２操作部に設けられて前記第２牽引ワイヤを進退操作可能な第２牽引ワイヤ操作手段と，
を設けたことを特徴とする内視鏡。An endoscope having a bending portion which can be bent from the operation portion, on an insertion portion connected to the operation portion,
The bending portion includes a first bending portion on a base end side thereof and a second bending portion provided at a distal end of the first bending portion.
The first bending portion has an elastic bending characteristic in one direction in advance, and the second bending portion also has an elastic bending characteristic in one direction in advance.
A first pulling wire provided from the first bending portion to the operation portion and pulling the first bending portion in a direction opposite to a bending characteristic thereof;
A first adjusting elastic member that is provided on the operation unit and is connected to the first pulling wire, and applies a tensile force to the first pulling wire so that the first bending portion is balanced in a straightened state; ,
First pulling wire operating means provided on the first operating section and capable of operating the first pulling wire forward and backward;
A second pulling wire provided from the second bending portion to the operation portion and pulling the second bending portion in a direction opposite to a bending characteristic thereof;
A second adjusting elastic member that is provided on the operating portion and is connected to the second pulling wire, and applies a tensile force to the second pulling wire so that the second bending portion is balanced in a straightened state; ,
A second pulling wire operating means provided on the second operating portion and capable of operating the second pulling wire forward and backward;
An endoscope comprising:

前記第１湾曲部は，その長手方向に沿って予め一方向に弾性的な曲り特性を有する第１湾曲弾性部材を設け，前記第２湾曲部は，その長手方向に沿って前記第１湾曲部とは異なる一方向に予め弾性的な曲り特性を有する第２湾曲弾性部材を設けたたことを特徴とする請求項４に記載の内視鏡。The first bending portion is provided with a first bending elastic member having an elastic bending characteristic in one direction in advance along the longitudinal direction, and the second bending portion is provided with the first bending portion along the longitudinal direction. The endoscope according to claim 4, wherein a second bending elastic member having an elastic bending characteristic is provided in one direction different from the first direction.

前記第２牽引ワイヤは，前記第１湾曲部の内部において前記第１湾曲弾性部材の近傍を通ることを特徴とする請求項５に記載の内視鏡。The endoscope according to claim 5, wherein the second pulling wire passes near the first bending elastic member inside the first bending portion.

前記第１調整用弾性部材の引張力を調整する第１調整手段と，
前記第２調整用弾性部材の引張力を調整する第２調整手段と，
を設けたことを特徴とする請求項４〜６のいずれかに記載の内視鏡。First adjusting means for adjusting the tensile force of the first adjusting elastic member;
Second adjusting means for adjusting a tensile force of the second adjusting elastic member;
The endoscope according to any one of claims 4 to 6, further comprising: