JP2011177383A - Operation wire connecting device of endoscope, and endoscope - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide operation wire connecting device which can perform rough adjustment with wide pitch and fine adjustment with narrow pitch when adjusting slack of wire. <P>SOLUTION: A connection part 27 comprises; a male screw member 53 firmly fixed with the base end of a following wire 29; an engaging member 54; a pair of connection retaining members 56, 57 connected to each other and maintaining the engaging member 54; ring-shaped members 58, 59 which regulate separation of connection retaining members 56, 57; and a slip-off preventing member 60 firmly fixed with the distal end of traction drive wire 25. In connection retaining members 56, 57, engaging grooves 67a-67d, 68a-68d engaging with the engaging member 54 in a disengageable manner are formed. The engaging grooves 67a-67d, 68a-68d engaging with the engaging member 54 are changed for rough position adjustment. The screwing amount of a male screw 53a of male screw member 53 and a female screw 54a of the engaging member 54 is changed for fine adjustment. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

本発明は、内視鏡の操作ワイヤ連結装置、及びこれを用いた内視鏡に関する。   The present invention relates to an operation wire connecting device for an endoscope and an endoscope using the same.

内視鏡は、体内に挿入される挿入部と、挿入部の基端側に設けられた本体操作部からなる形態になっている。挿入部は、先端から順に、先端部、湾曲部、及び、可撓管部が設けられている。先端部には、対物レンズ、ＣＣＤなどの固体撮像素子、及び、照明用レンズ等が設けられている。先端部は、各レンズや固体撮像素子を保護するために、硬質な樹脂材料で形成されている。可撓管部は、操作部と湾曲部との間を繋ぐ細径で長尺状な管部であり、可撓性を有している。湾曲部は、本体操作部に設けた操作ノブなどの操作手段を回転操作することで、挿入部内に挿通されたワイヤを進退させることにより上下左右方向のいずれにも湾曲する。これにより、体内への挿入がスムーズになり、また、先端部を体内の所望の方向に向けることができる。   The endoscope has a configuration including an insertion portion to be inserted into the body and a main body operation portion provided on the proximal end side of the insertion portion. The insertion portion is provided with a distal end portion, a bending portion, and a flexible tube portion in order from the distal end. At the tip, an objective lens, a solid-state imaging device such as a CCD, and an illumination lens are provided. The tip portion is formed of a hard resin material in order to protect each lens and the solid-state imaging device. The flexible tube portion is a thin and long tube portion that connects the operation portion and the bending portion, and has flexibility. The bending portion bends in any of the up, down, left, and right directions by rotating and operating an operation means such as an operation knob provided in the main body operation portion to advance and retract the wire inserted into the insertion portion. Thereby, the insertion into the body becomes smooth, and the tip can be directed in a desired direction in the body.

上述したように挿入部内にはワイヤが挿通され、本体操作部には操作手段による回転操作に応じてワイヤを進退させる駆動力伝達機構が内蔵されており、これらは連結部を介して連結されている。従来、ワイヤと駆動力伝達機構の連結部は、操作ワイヤの基端部側にハンダ付けされたネジ付きスリーブと、駆動力伝達機構側に連結されたナット部材とからなり、ネジ付きスリーブの雄ネジとナット部材の雌ネジとを螺合させることにより連結している（例えば、特許文献１）。   As described above, a wire is inserted into the insertion portion, and a driving force transmission mechanism for moving the wire forward and backward according to a rotation operation by the operation means is built in the main body operation portion, and these are connected via the connection portion. Yes. Conventionally, the connecting portion of the wire and the driving force transmission mechanism includes a threaded sleeve soldered to the proximal end side of the operation wire and a nut member connected to the driving force transmission mechanism side. The screw and the female screw of the nut member are connected by screwing (for example, Patent Document 1).

一方、内視鏡では、挿入部の湾曲操作を繰り返すうちに、操作ワイヤに弛みが生じてくることがある。そこで、上記特許文献１記載の連結部では、ネジ付きスリーブとナット部材とが螺合する位置（螺じ込み量）を変更してワイヤの弛み調節を行う。   On the other hand, in an endoscope, the operation wire may become slack as the bending operation of the insertion portion is repeated. Therefore, in the connecting portion described in Patent Document 1, the position at which the threaded sleeve and the nut member are screwed together (screwing amount) is changed to adjust the slackness of the wire.

また、ワイヤの弛みを調節する別の構成としては、例えば特許文献２〜４に記載されており、操作ワイヤの基端部に固定された止め部材、止め部材が装着される係合部材、駆動力伝達機構としてのチェーン部材が連結された連結部材とを備え、連結部材には、係合部材と係合し、操作ワイヤの軸方向に沿って複数連設された円形溝が形成されており、係合部材と係合する円形溝の位置を多段階に変更してワイヤの弛み調節を行うことができる。さらにまた、特許文献５では、牽引駆動側ワイヤと、従動側ワイヤとを連結するための連結部材であって、牽引駆動側に固着された外歯ラックと、従動側ワイヤに固着された内歯ラックとからなり、外歯ラックと内歯ラックとが係合する歯の位置関係をずらすことにより、ワイヤの弛み調節を行う構成が記載されている。   Moreover, as another structure which adjusts the slack of a wire, it describes in patent documents 2-4, for example, the fixing member fixed to the base end part of the operation wire, the engaging member to which a stopping member is mounted | worn, drive And a connecting member to which a chain member as a force transmission mechanism is connected. The connecting member is engaged with the engaging member, and a plurality of circular grooves are formed along the axial direction of the operation wire. The looseness of the wire can be adjusted by changing the position of the circular groove engaged with the engaging member in multiple stages. Furthermore, in patent document 5, it is a connection member for connecting a traction drive side wire and a driven side wire, Comprising: The external tooth rack fixed to the traction drive side, and the internal tooth fixed to the driven side wire A configuration is described in which the slack adjustment of the wire is performed by shifting the positional relationship of the teeth that the outer tooth rack and the inner tooth rack engage with each other.

実開平４−６７２４号公報Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 4-6724 特開２０００−５１１４６号公報JP 2000-511146 A 特開２０００−５１１４８号公報JP 2000-51148 A 特開２００８−９２９６８号公報JP 2008-92968 A 特開２００６−６７６０号公報JP 2006-6760 A

しかしながら、上記特許文献１記載の構成では、操作ワイヤの弛み調節の際、ネジ付きスリーブとナット部材とが螺合する範囲を超える量を調節する場合、ワイヤとネジ付きスリーブとを固定する半田を溶かして付け直さなければならないため、手間と時間が掛かる。   However, in the configuration described in Patent Document 1, when adjusting the looseness of the operation wire, when adjusting the amount exceeding the range in which the threaded sleeve and the nut member are screwed together, the solder for fixing the wire and the threaded sleeve is not used. Since it has to be melted and reattached, it takes time and effort.

特許文献２〜４記載の構成では、係合部材が係合する円形溝の位置を変更することで多段階に調節することはできるが、円形溝間のピッチ以下の調節は不可能であり、ワイヤの弛みを精密に調節することができない。また、特許文献５記載の構成でも、ラックに形成された歯のピッチ以下の調整はすることができない。   In the configurations described in Patent Documents 2 to 4, it is possible to adjust in multiple stages by changing the position of the circular groove with which the engaging member engages, but adjustment below the pitch between the circular grooves is impossible, The slack of the wire cannot be adjusted precisely. Further, even the configuration described in Patent Document 5 cannot be adjusted below the pitch of the teeth formed on the rack.

本発明は上記事情を考慮してなされたものであり、ワイヤの弛み調節を行う際、位置を変更するピッチが広い粗調節と、ピッチが狭い微調節の両方を行うことを可能とする。   The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and when performing loosening adjustment of a wire, it is possible to perform both coarse adjustment with a wide pitch for changing the position and fine adjustment with a narrow pitch.

本発明の内視鏡の操作ワイヤ連結装置は、先端部の向きを変化させるために湾曲する湾曲部及び可撓性を有する軟性部が先端側から順に連設された挿入部の内部に挿通されたワイヤの基端部に固着され、雄ネジが外周に形成された雄ネジ部材と、内周に前記雄ネジと螺合する雌ネジが形成されている係合部材と、互いに結合して前記係合部材を内部に保持する一対の連結保持部材であって、操作手段の操作に伴って発生された駆動力を前記ワイヤに伝達して前記湾曲部を湾曲させる駆動力伝達機構に連結され、前記係合部材と係脱可能に係合し、前記雄ネジ及び雌ネジよりもピッチが大きい複数の係合溝が前記ワイヤの軸方向に沿って並列に形成された一対の連結保持部材とからなることを特徴とする。   The endoscope operation wire coupling device according to the present invention is inserted through an insertion portion in which a bending portion and a flexible portion having flexibility are sequentially arranged from the distal end side in order to change the direction of the distal end portion. A male screw member fixed to the proximal end of the wire and having a male screw formed on the outer periphery, and an engaging member having a female screw threadedly engaged with the male screw on the inner periphery. A pair of connecting and holding members that hold the engaging member therein, and is connected to a driving force transmission mechanism that transmits the driving force generated by the operation of the operating means to the wire to bend the bending portion; A plurality of engaging grooves that are detachably engaged with the engaging member and have a larger pitch than the male screw and the female screw, and a pair of connecting and holding members formed in parallel along the axial direction of the wire. It is characterized by becoming.

なお、前記一対の連結保持部材の外周に嵌合して前記一対の連結保持部材の分離を規制するリング状部材を備えたことが好ましい。   In addition, it is preferable to provide the ring-shaped member which fits on the outer periphery of a pair of said connection holding member, and controls isolation | separation of the said pair of connection holding member.

また、前記一対の連結保持部材は、一方に形成された係止爪で他方を係止して互いに結合することが好ましい。   Further, it is preferable that the pair of connection holding members are coupled to each other by locking the other with a locking claw formed on one side.

前記駆動力伝達機構は、前記操作手段に連動して回転するプーリと、前記プーリに掛けられた牽引駆動ワイヤとからなり、前記牽引駆動ワイヤの端部に固着された抜け止め部材を備え、前記連結保持部材は、内部に前記抜け止め部材を収納する収納部が設けられており、前記抜け止め部材は、前記収納部内を軸方向に沿って移動自在とすることが好ましい。   The driving force transmission mechanism includes a pulley that rotates in conjunction with the operation means, and a traction drive wire that is hung on the pulley, and includes a retaining member fixed to an end of the traction drive wire, It is preferable that the connection holding member is provided with a storage portion for storing the retaining member therein, and the retaining member is movable in the storage portion along the axial direction.

本発明の内視鏡は、前記挿入部と、前記ワイヤと、前記操作手段と、前記駆動力伝達機構と、前記挿入部の基端側に設けられ、前記操作手段及び前記駆動力伝達機構が組み込まれた本体操作部と、前記操作ワイヤ連結装置とを備えたことを特徴とする。   The endoscope of the present invention is provided on the proximal end side of the insertion portion, the wire, the operation means, the driving force transmission mechanism, and the insertion portion, and the operation means and the driving force transmission mechanism are provided. The main body operation unit is incorporated, and the operation wire connecting device is provided.

本発明によれば、挿入部の内部に挿通されたワイヤの基端部に雄ネジ部材が固着され、この雄ネジ部材の雄ネジと螺合する雌ネジが係合部材に形成されており、駆動力伝達機構に連結された一対の連結保持部材が係合部材を保持し、連結保持部材には、係合部材と係脱可能に係合し、雄ネジ及び雌ネジよりもピッチが大きい複数の係合溝がワイヤの軸方向に沿って並列に形成されているので、係合部材と係合する係合溝の位置を変更することで調節範囲が広い粗調節が可能となり、加えて、係合溝よりピッチが小さい雄ネジ及び雌ネジの螺じ込み量を変更することで、精密な弛み調節を行うことが可能となる。   According to the present invention, the male screw member is fixed to the proximal end portion of the wire inserted into the insertion portion, and the female screw that is engaged with the male screw of the male screw member is formed on the engaging member. A pair of connection holding members connected to the driving force transmission mechanism hold the engagement members, and the connection holding members are detachably engaged with the engagement members and have a plurality of pitches larger than the male screw and the female screw. Since the engagement grooves are formed in parallel along the axial direction of the wire, by changing the position of the engagement groove that engages with the engagement member, coarse adjustment with a wide adjustment range becomes possible. By changing the screwing amount of the male screw and the female screw whose pitch is smaller than that of the engaging groove, it becomes possible to perform precise loosening adjustment.

電子内視鏡の使用状態を示す説明図である。It is explanatory drawing which shows the use condition of an electronic endoscope. 各ワイヤの接続状態を概略的に示す説明図である。It is explanatory drawing which shows the connection state of each wire roughly. 操作ノブとワイヤを巻回したプーリとの接続状態を示す要部断面図である。It is principal part sectional drawing which shows the connection state of the operation knob and the pulley which wound the wire. 連結部の移動をガイドするガイド部材を示す斜視図である。It is a perspective view which shows the guide member which guides the movement of a connection part. プーリの回転に連動して移動する連結部を示す説明図であり、（Ａ）は初期状態、（Ｂ）は第１プーリを時計方向に回転したときの連結部の移動方向、（Ｃ）は第１プーリを反時計方向に回転したときの連結部の移動方向をそれぞれ示している。It is explanatory drawing which shows the connection part which moves in response to rotation of a pulley, (A) is an initial state, (B) is the moving direction of a connection part when a 1st pulley is rotated clockwise, (C) is The movement directions of the connecting portions when the first pulley is rotated counterclockwise are shown. 連結部の内部構造を示す要部断面図であり、操作ワイヤの弛み調節が行われていない初期状態を示している。It is principal part sectional drawing which shows the internal structure of a connection part, and has shown the initial state in which slack adjustment of the operation wire is not performed. 連結部の構成を示す分解斜視図である。It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the structure of a connection part. 組み立てられた状態の連結部を示す斜視図である。It is a perspective view which shows the connection part of the assembled state. 雄ネジ部材と係合部材との螺じ込み量の変更により微調節を行うときの説明図である。It is explanatory drawing when performing fine adjustment by the change of the screwing amount of a male screw member and an engaging member. 連結保持部材を爪結合させる係止爪及び被係止部を形成した第２実施形態の一例を示す分解斜視図である。It is a disassembled perspective view which shows an example of 2nd Embodiment which formed the latching claw and to-be-latched part which nail | claw-couple a connection holding member. 第２実施形態の連結部が組み立てられた状態を示す斜視図である。It is a perspective view which shows the state by which the connection part of 2nd Embodiment was assembled. 両端側に、微調節を行うための雄ネジ及び雌ネジを形成した第３実施形態の一例を示す要部断面図である。It is principal part sectional drawing which shows an example of 3rd Embodiment which formed the external thread and internal thread for performing fine adjustment on both ends. ロックナットを備えた連結部の構成の一例を示す要部断面図である。It is principal part sectional drawing which shows an example of a structure of the connection part provided with the lock nut.

内視鏡１０は、図１に示すように、挿入部１１と、挿入部１１の基端側に設けられ、手元で操作する操作部１２と、ユニバーサルコード１３などを備えた細長い形状になっている。挿入部１１は、管状に形成されており、先端から順に、先端部１４、湾曲部１５、及び、可撓管部１６とで構成されている。湾曲部１５は、上下方向に湾曲操作される湾曲部１５ａと左右方向に湾曲操作される湾曲部１５ｂとからなる。ユニバーサルコード１３は、一端が操作部１２に接続され、他端のコネクター部１７がプロセッサ装置１８、送気装置（図示せず）、及び、光源装置（図示せず）などに接続される。   As shown in FIG. 1, the endoscope 10 has an elongated shape including an insertion portion 11, an operation portion 12 that is provided on the proximal end side of the insertion portion 11, and is operated at hand, a universal cord 13, and the like. Yes. The insertion portion 11 is formed in a tubular shape, and includes a distal end portion 14, a bending portion 15, and a flexible tube portion 16 in order from the distal end. The bending portion 15 includes a bending portion 15a that is bent in the vertical direction and a bending portion 15b that is bent in the left-right direction. The universal cord 13 has one end connected to the operation unit 12 and the other connector 17 connected to the processor device 18, an air supply device (not shown), a light source device (not shown), and the like.

先端部１４は、硬質な樹脂材料で形成されている。この先端部１４の先端面１４ａには、観察部位からの像光を取り込むための観察窓が設けられている。そして、先端部１４には、観察窓を介して入射した像光を撮像するＣＣＤなどの固体撮像素子（図示せず）が内蔵されている。プロセッサ装置１８は、この固体撮像素子から得られる撮像信号の画像処理を行うとともに、コンポジット信号やコンポーネント信号にエンコードし、その映像信号をモニタ１９に出力する。これにより、患者の体腔内などを撮影した内視鏡画像がモニタ１９に表示される。可撓管部１６は、細径且つ長尺な管状に形成されるとともに、可撓性を有しており、操作部１２と湾曲部１５との間を接続する。   The tip portion 14 is formed of a hard resin material. The distal end surface 14a of the distal end portion 14 is provided with an observation window for capturing image light from the observation site. The distal end portion 14 incorporates a solid-state imaging device (not shown) such as a CCD that captures image light incident through the observation window. The processor device 18 performs image processing of an image pickup signal obtained from the solid-state image pickup device, encodes it into a composite signal or a component signal, and outputs the video signal to the monitor 19. As a result, an endoscopic image obtained by imaging the patient's body cavity or the like is displayed on the monitor 19. The flexible tube portion 16 is formed in a thin and long tubular shape and has flexibility, and connects between the operation portion 12 and the bending portion 15.

操作部１２には、各湾曲部１５ａ，１５ｂを操作するための操作ノブ２１，２２が設けられている。操作ノブ２１は、湾曲部１５ａを上下方向に湾曲させるための操作ノブであり、また、操作ノブ２２は、湾曲部１５ｂを左右方向に湾曲させるための操作ノブである。これら操作ノブ２１，２２は、操作部１２のハウジング２０に回動自在に取り付けられている。   The operation unit 12 is provided with operation knobs 21 and 22 for operating the bending portions 15a and 15b. The operation knob 21 is an operation knob for bending the bending portion 15a in the vertical direction, and the operation knob 22 is an operation knob for bending the bending portion 15b in the left-right direction. These operation knobs 21 and 22 are rotatably attached to the housing 20 of the operation unit 12.

図２に示すように、操作部１２の内部には、上下及び左右方向の湾曲操作を行うための２つのプーリ２３，２４が設けられており、各プーリ２３，２４は、回転軸方向にずらして配置されている（図３参照）。各プーリ２３，２４は、それぞれ操作ノブ２１，２２に連結されている。   As shown in FIG. 2, two pulleys 23 and 24 for performing a bending operation in the vertical and horizontal directions are provided inside the operation unit 12, and each pulley 23 and 24 is shifted in the rotation axis direction. (See FIG. 3). The pulleys 23 and 24 are connected to the operation knobs 21 and 22, respectively.

プーリ２３及び湾曲部１５ａは、操作ワイヤによって連結される。操作ワイヤは、プーリ２３に巻き掛けられる牽引駆動ワイヤ２５、及び湾曲部１５ａに接続される２本の従動ワイヤ２９，３０である３本のワイヤからなり、牽引駆動ワイヤ２５の両端部２５ａ，２５ｂと、従動ワイヤ２９，３０の基端側の端部２９ａ，３０ａとが、それぞれ連結部２７，２８によって連結され、１本の操作ワイヤを構成する。従動ワイヤ２９，３０のそれぞれの先端側の端部２９ｂ，３０ｂは、湾曲部１５ａの湾曲駒４１に接続される。   The pulley 23 and the bending portion 15a are connected by an operation wire. The operation wire includes a traction drive wire 25 that is wound around the pulley 23 and three wires that are two driven wires 29 and 30 connected to the bending portion 15 a, and both end portions 25 a and 25 b of the traction drive wire 25. The end portions 29a and 30a on the base end side of the driven wires 29 and 30 are connected by connecting portions 27 and 28, respectively, to constitute one operation wire. End portions 29b and 30b on the distal ends of the driven wires 29 and 30 are connected to a bending piece 41 of the bending portion 15a.

プーリ２３及び牽引駆動ワイヤ２５は、操作ノブ２１の回転操作に伴って発生する駆動力を伝達するための駆動力伝達機構を構成し、操作ノブ２１の回転操作に連動してプーリ２３が回転し、プーリ２３の回転に応じて移動する牽引駆動ワイヤ２５が、連結部２７，２８を介して従動ワイヤ２９，３０を挿入部１１の軸方向に沿って押し引きする。そして、従動ワイヤ２９，３０が押し引きされることにより湾曲部１５ａが上下方向に湾曲動作する。これらのプーリ２３、牽引駆動ワイヤ２５、連結部２７，２８、従動ワイヤ２９，３０が上下方向駆動系を構成する。   The pulley 23 and the traction drive wire 25 constitute a drive force transmission mechanism for transmitting a drive force generated in accordance with the rotation operation of the operation knob 21, and the pulley 23 rotates in conjunction with the rotation operation of the operation knob 21. The pulling drive wire 25 that moves according to the rotation of the pulley 23 pushes and pulls the driven wires 29 and 30 along the axial direction of the insertion portion 11 via the connecting portions 27 and 28. Then, when the driven wires 29 and 30 are pushed and pulled, the bending portion 15a is bent in the vertical direction. The pulley 23, the traction drive wire 25, the connecting portions 27 and 28, and the driven wires 29 and 30 constitute a vertical drive system.

左右方向駆動系の構成も、上下方向駆動系の構成と同様であり、プーリ２４、牽引駆動ワイヤ３５、連結部３６，３７、従動ワイヤ３８，３９から構成される。牽引駆動ワイヤ３５の両端３５ａ，３５ｂは、連結部３６，３７によって、従動ワイヤ３８，３９のそれぞれ端部３８ａ，３９ａと連結される。従動ワイヤ３８，３９の先端側の端部３８ｂ，３９ｂは、湾曲部１５ｂの湾曲駒４２と接続される。プーリ２４及び牽引駆動ワイヤ３５は駆動力伝達機構を構成し、操作ノブ２２の回転操作に伴って従動ワイヤ３８，３９が押し引きされ、湾曲部１５ｂを左右方向に湾曲動作させる。   The configuration of the left and right direction drive system is the same as that of the vertical direction drive system, and includes a pulley 24, a traction drive wire 35, connecting portions 36 and 37, and driven wires 38 and 39. Both ends 35a and 35b of the traction drive wire 35 are connected to the end portions 38a and 39a of the driven wires 38 and 39 by connecting portions 36 and 37, respectively. End portions 38b and 39b on the distal end side of the driven wires 38 and 39 are connected to the bending piece 42 of the bending portion 15b. The pulley 24 and the traction drive wire 35 constitute a drive force transmission mechanism, and the driven wires 38 and 39 are pushed and pulled as the operation knob 22 is rotated, and the bending portion 15b is bent in the left-right direction.

このように、湾曲部１５ａ，１５ｂを上下方向、左右方向にそれぞれ湾曲動作させることで、先端部１４が体内の所望の方向に向けられ、固体撮像素子の撮像範囲を所望の観察部位に向けることができる。   In this way, by bending the bending portions 15a and 15b in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction, the distal end portion 14 is directed in a desired direction in the body, and the imaging range of the solid-state imaging device is directed to a desired observation site. Can do.

４つの連結部２７，２８，３６，３７は、牽引駆動ワイヤ２５，３５、従動ワイヤ２９，３０，３８，３９の押し引き動作に伴って移動する。この移動をガイドするために、操作部１２の内部の先端には、図４に示すように、支持部材４４が内蔵されている。支持部材４４には、４つの移動路４５〜４８が形成されている。これら移動路４５〜４８は、各連結部２７，２８，３６，３７を個別に支持し、各々が干渉することを防止する。   The four connecting portions 27, 28, 36, and 37 move in accordance with the pushing and pulling operation of the traction drive wires 25 and 35 and the driven wires 29, 30, 38, and 39. In order to guide this movement, as shown in FIG. 4, a support member 44 is built in the tip of the operation unit 12. Four movement paths 45 to 48 are formed in the support member 44. These moving paths 45 to 48 individually support the connecting portions 27, 28, 36, and 37 and prevent each of them from interfering.

支持部材４４は、操作部１２のハウジング２０の輪郭形状に合わせて、挿入部１１に向けて窄まる輪郭形状になっており、これに伴って各移動路４５〜４８も先端部１４に向けて下り勾配の斜面になっている。そして、各移動路４５〜４８には、連結部２７，２８，３６，３７の移動量を規制するストッパ部材４９がプーリ２３，２４側にそれぞれ設けられている。   The support member 44 has a contour shape that narrows toward the insertion portion 11 in accordance with the contour shape of the housing 20 of the operation portion 12, and accordingly, the moving paths 45 to 48 also face the distal end portion 14. It has a downward slope. In each of the moving paths 45 to 48, a stopper member 49 for restricting the moving amount of the connecting portions 27, 28, 36, and 37 is provided on the pulleys 23 and 24 side, respectively.

上下方向駆動系の構成と左右方向駆動系の構成は、ほぼ同様であるので、以下では、上下方向駆動系の構成を例に説明する。図５に示すように、プーリ２３の回転によって操作ワイヤが押し引きされると、連結部２７，２８が移動して、各連結部２７，２８とプーリ２３との相対距離が変化する。湾曲部１５ａをストレートにしたときの連結部２７，２８の位置を、図５（Ａ）に示す位置（初期位置）とすると、図５（Ｂ）に示すように、プーリ２３が時計方向に回転すると、牽引駆動ワイヤ２５の引っ張り側の連結部２７がプーリ２３に向かって移動し、逆に押し出し側の連結部２８は、先端部１４に向かって移動する。その反対に、図５（Ｃ）に示すように、プーリ２３が反時計方向に回転すると、連結部２７が先端部１４に向かって移動し、連結部２８がプーリ２３に向かって移動する。   Since the configuration of the vertical drive system and the configuration of the horizontal drive system are substantially the same, the configuration of the vertical drive system will be described below as an example. As shown in FIG. 5, when the operation wire is pushed and pulled by the rotation of the pulley 23, the connecting portions 27 and 28 move, and the relative distance between the connecting portions 27 and 28 and the pulley 23 changes. Assuming that the positions of the connecting portions 27 and 28 when the bending portion 15a is straight are the positions (initial positions) shown in FIG. 5 (A), the pulley 23 rotates clockwise as shown in FIG. 5 (B). Then, the pulling side connecting portion 27 of the pulling drive wire 25 moves toward the pulley 23, and on the contrary, the pushing side connecting portion 28 moves toward the tip end portion 14. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 5C, when the pulley 23 rotates counterclockwise, the connecting portion 27 moves toward the distal end portion 14 and the connecting portion 28 moves toward the pulley 23.

図６〜図８に示すように、本発明の操作ワイヤ連結装置としての連結部２７は、従動ワイヤ２９の基端側（プーリ２３側）に固着された雄ネジ部材５３と、雄ネジ部材５３と螺合する係合部材５４と、互いに結合して係合部材５４を保持する一対の連結保持部材５６，５７と、リング状部材５８，５９と、牽引駆動ワイヤ２５の先端側（湾曲部１５ａ側）に固着された抜け止め部材６０とからなる。   As shown in FIGS. 6 to 8, the connecting portion 27 as the operation wire connecting device of the present invention includes a male screw member 53 fixed to the base end side (pulley 23 side) of the driven wire 29, and a male screw member 53. An engagement member 54 that is screwed together, a pair of connection holding members 56 and 57 that are coupled to each other and hold the engagement member 54, ring-shaped members 58 and 59, and the distal end side of the pulling drive wire 25 (curved portion 15a). And a retaining member 60 fixed to the side).

雄ネジ部材５３は、外周に雄ネジ５３ａを有する略円筒状に形成されている。この雄ネジ部材５３は、先端側の内周面５３ｂが従動ワイヤ２９の外径に合わせた内径で、基端側の内周面５３ｃが先端側の内周面５３ｂよりも大きい内径に形成されている。従動ワイヤ２９の基端部２９ａは、先端側の内周面５３ｂから雄ネジ部材５３に挿通され、基端側の内周面５３ｃにハンダ付けされることにより先端側へ離脱しないように雄ネジ部材５３に固着されている。   The male screw member 53 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape having a male screw 53a on the outer periphery. The male screw member 53 is formed such that the inner peripheral surface 53b on the distal end side has an inner diameter matching the outer diameter of the driven wire 29, and the inner peripheral surface 53c on the proximal end side is larger in inner diameter than the inner peripheral surface 53b on the distal end side. ing. The base end portion 29a of the driven wire 29 is inserted into the male screw member 53 from the inner peripheral surface 53b on the distal end side and is soldered to the inner peripheral surface 53c on the proximal end side so as not to be detached to the distal end side. It is fixed to the member 53.

係合部材５４は、雄ネジ部材５３より大きい外径の円筒形状で、内周に雄ネジ５３ａと螺合する雌ネジ５４ａが形成されている。操作ワイヤの弛みの精密な調節（微調節）をするときには、雄ネジ５３ａと雌ネジ５４ａとが螺合する位置を変更する。   The engaging member 54 has a cylindrical shape with an outer diameter larger than that of the male screw member 53, and a female screw 54a that is screwed into the male screw 53a is formed on the inner periphery. When precise adjustment (fine adjustment) of the looseness of the operation wire is performed, the position where the male screw 53a and the female screw 54a are screwed is changed.

一対の連結保持部材５６，５７は、接合面５６ａ，５７ａを境にして互いに面対称の箱状に形成されており、内部には係合部材５４を保持する保持空間６１，６２が形成されている。また、連結保持部材５６，５７は、先端部から軸方向に沿って突出する半円筒部６３ａ，６４ａ、及び後端部から軸方向に沿って突出する半円筒部６３ｂ，６４ｂが形成されており、半円筒部６３ａ，６３ｂ，６４ａ，６４ｂの内周面は、保持空間６１，６２に連続しており、牽引駆動ワイヤ２５、従動ワイヤ２９を挿通させることができる。   The pair of connection holding members 56 and 57 are formed in a box shape symmetrical to each other with the joint surfaces 56a and 57a as a boundary, and holding spaces 61 and 62 for holding the engaging member 54 are formed inside. Yes. Further, the connection holding members 56 and 57 are formed with semi-cylindrical portions 63a and 64a protruding from the front end portion along the axial direction, and semi-cylindrical portions 63b and 64b protruding from the rear end portion along the axial direction. The inner peripheral surfaces of the semi-cylindrical portions 63a, 63b, 64a, 64b are continuous with the holding spaces 61, 62, and the traction drive wire 25 and the driven wire 29 can be inserted therethrough.

保持空間６１は、連結保持部材５６の内部をそれぞれ略半円柱状に切り欠いた形状で、内側へ凸となる突出部６５が所定間隔毎に形成されている。保持空間６１の突出部６５で区切られた区間のうち、先端側（湾曲部１５ａ側）に近い区間がそれぞれ係合部材５４と係脱可能に係合する係合溝６７ａ〜６７ｄとなっている。係合溝６７ａ〜６７ｄは、従動ワイヤ２９の軸方向に沿って並列に形成されている。この係合溝６７ａ〜６７ｄ間のピッチＰ１は、上述した雄ネジ５３ａ及び雌ネジ５４ａのピッチＰ２よりも大きく形成されている。また、保持空間６１のうち、最も基端側（プーリ２３側）の区間は、係合溝ではなく、後述する抜け止め部材６０を収納する収納部６９となっている。   The holding space 61 has a shape in which the inside of the connection holding member 56 is cut into a substantially semi-cylindrical shape, and protruding portions 65 that protrude inward are formed at predetermined intervals. Of the sections delimited by the protrusions 65 of the holding space 61, sections close to the distal end side (the curved portion 15a side) are engaging grooves 67a to 67d that are detachably engaged with the engaging member 54, respectively. . The engagement grooves 67 a to 67 d are formed in parallel along the axial direction of the driven wire 29. The pitch P1 between the engagement grooves 67a to 67d is formed larger than the pitch P2 of the male screw 53a and the female screw 54a described above. Further, in the holding space 61, the section on the most proximal side (pulley 23 side) is not an engagement groove but a storage portion 69 that stores a retaining member 60 described later.

保持空間６２は、保持空間６１と同様の形状で、突出部６５、係合溝６７ａ〜６７ｄ、及び収納部６９と対称な位置に突出部６６、係合溝６８ａ〜６８ｄ、及び収納部７０が形成されている。操作ワイヤの弛みの大まかな調節（粗調節）をするときには、係合部材５４が係合する係合溝６７ａ〜６７ｄ，６８ａ〜６８ｄの位置を変更することで多段階の位置調節を行うことができる。なお、係合溝６７，６８の個数（本実施形態では４個）は限定されるものではなく、係合部材５４との係脱により位置調節する段階数に合わせて適宜決定すればよい。   The holding space 62 has the same shape as the holding space 61, and the protruding portion 66, the engaging grooves 68 a to 68 d, and the storage portion 70 are located at positions symmetrical to the protruding portion 65, the engaging grooves 67 a to 67 d, and the storage portion 69. Is formed. When rough adjustment (coarse adjustment) of the looseness of the operation wire is performed, the position of the engagement grooves 67a to 67d and 68a to 68d with which the engagement member 54 is engaged can be changed to perform multi-stage position adjustment. it can. Note that the number of the engagement grooves 67 and 68 (four in this embodiment) is not limited, and may be determined as appropriate according to the number of stages whose position is adjusted by engagement / disengagement with the engagement member 54.

抜け止め部材６０は、収納部６９、７０の内径より小さく、半円筒部６３ｂ，６４ｂの内周面より大きい外径の略球状で、両端６０ａ，６０ｂが平面に形成され、両端６０ａ，６０ｂを貫通する貫通孔６０ｃが形成されている。貫通孔６０ｃは、牽引駆動ワイヤ２５の外径に合わせた内径となっている。また、抜け止め部材６０は、軸長すなわち両端６０ａ，６０ｂ間の寸法が、収納部６９，７０の軸長よりも短く形成されている。   The retaining member 60 is substantially spherical with an outer diameter that is smaller than the inner diameter of the storage portions 69 and 70 and larger than the inner peripheral surface of the semi-cylindrical portions 63b and 64b, both ends 60a and 60b are formed in a plane, and both ends 60a and 60b are A penetrating through hole 60c is formed. The through hole 60 c has an inner diameter that matches the outer diameter of the traction drive wire 25. Further, the retaining member 60 is formed such that the axial length, that is, the dimension between both ends 60 a and 60 b is shorter than the axial length of the storage portions 69 and 70.

抜け止め部材６０は、貫通孔６０ｃに牽引駆動ワイヤ２５の一方の端部２５ａが挿通され、ハンダ付けされることにより、牽引駆動ワイヤ２５の端部２５ａが固着される。牽引駆動ワイヤ２５の一端に固着された抜け止め部材６０は、収納部６９，７０の内部に収納される。これにより、牽引駆動ワイヤ２５が連結保持部材５６，５７から離脱することを規制する。   In the retaining member 60, one end portion 25a of the traction drive wire 25 is inserted into the through hole 60c and soldered, whereby the end portion 25a of the traction drive wire 25 is fixed. The retaining member 60 fixed to one end of the traction drive wire 25 is accommodated in the accommodating portions 69 and 70. As a result, the pulling drive wire 25 is restricted from being detached from the connection holding members 56 and 57.

従動ワイヤ２９，３０を押し引きする際には、引っ張られる側と押し出される側のワイヤの移動量に差が生じて、押し出し側で操作ワイヤが撓んで、操作ワイヤに弛みが生じることが知られている。上述したように、抜け止め部材６０は、収納部６９，７０よりも軸長が短いため、収納部６９，７０の内部を移動して操作ワイヤの移動量の差を吸収する。また、抜け止め部材６０は、外周が球面状であることから、収納部６９，７０の内部を移動しやくすなっている。   When the driven wires 29 and 30 are pushed and pulled, it is known that there is a difference in the movement amount of the wire on the side to be pulled and the side to be pushed out, the operation wire bends on the extrusion side, and the operation wire is slackened. ing. As described above, since the retaining member 60 has a shorter axial length than the housing portions 69 and 70, the retaining member 60 moves inside the housing portions 69 and 70 to absorb the difference in the movement amount of the operation wire. Further, the retaining member 60 has a spherical outer periphery, so that it is easy to move inside the storage portions 69 and 70.

リング状部材５８は、半円筒部６３ａ，６４ａの外周面に嵌合するように、リング状部材５９は、半円筒部６３ｂ，６４ｂの外周面に嵌合するようにそれぞれ内周面が形成されている。連結保持部材５６，５７は、接合面５６ａ，５７ａを互いに合わせた状態にすると、略角柱状となり、両端の半円筒部６３ａ，６４ａ及び半円筒部６３ｂ，６４ｂがそれぞれ繋がって円筒形状になる。この状態で半円筒部６３ａ，６４ａ及び半円筒部６３ｂ，６４ｂにそれぞれリング状部材５８，５９を嵌合させると、連結保持部材５６，５７の分離が規制され、連結保持部材５６，５７及びリング状部材５８，５９が一体に結合する。   The ring-shaped member 58 is formed with inner peripheral surfaces so as to be fitted to the outer peripheral surfaces of the semi-cylindrical portions 63a and 64a, and the ring-shaped member 59 is formed with inner peripheral surfaces so as to be fitted to the outer peripheral surfaces of the semi-cylindrical portions 63b and 64b. ing. The connection holding members 56 and 57 are substantially prismatic when the joint surfaces 56a and 57a are brought into alignment with each other, and the semi-cylindrical portions 63a and 64a and the semi-cylindrical portions 63b and 64b at both ends are connected to each other to form a cylindrical shape. In this state, when the ring-shaped members 58 and 59 are fitted to the semi-cylindrical portions 63a and 64a and the semi-cylindrical portions 63b and 64b, respectively, the separation of the connection holding members 56 and 57 is restricted, and the connection holding members 56 and 57 and the ring The members 58 and 59 are joined together.

上述したように、従動ワイヤ２９の端部に設けられた係合部材５４が、一対の連結保持部材５６，５７の係合溝６７ａ〜６７ｄ，６８ａ〜６８ｄのいずれかに係合し、抜け止め部材６０が収納部６９，７０の内部に収納され、リング状部材５８，５９を嵌合させて連結保持部材５６，５７が互いに結合することにより連結部２７が組み立てられる。組み立てられた連結部２７は、略角柱状になり、支持部材４４の移動路４５に沿って移動することができる。   As described above, the engagement member 54 provided at the end portion of the driven wire 29 engages with any of the engagement grooves 67a to 67d and 68a to 68d of the pair of connection holding members 56 and 57, and is prevented from coming off. The member 60 is housed in the housing portions 69 and 70, the ring-shaped members 58 and 59 are fitted, and the connection holding members 56 and 57 are coupled to each other, whereby the connection portion 27 is assembled. The assembled connecting portion 27 has a substantially prismatic shape and can move along the moving path 45 of the support member 44.

連結部２８も、連結部２７と同様に、従動ワイヤ３０の基端部３０ａに固着された雄ネジ部材と、雄ネジ部材と螺合する係合部材と、互いに結合して係合部材を保持する一対の連結保持部材と、連結保持部材の分離を規制するリング状部材と、牽引駆動ワイヤ２５の他方の端部２５ｂに固着された抜け止め部材とからなり、係合部材が連結保持部材の係合溝に係合し、抜け止め部材が収納部に収納され、連結保持部材が互いに結合することにより組み立てられる。各部材の構成及び機能は、連結部２７のそれと同様であるので、説明を省略する。   Similarly to the connecting portion 27, the connecting portion 28 also holds the engaging member by coupling the male screw member fixed to the proximal end portion 30 a of the driven wire 30, the engaging member screwed with the male screw member, and the like. A pair of connecting and holding members, a ring-shaped member that restricts the separation of the connecting and holding members, and a retaining member fixed to the other end 25b of the traction drive wire 25, and the engaging member is a member of the connecting and holding member. It is assembled by engaging with the engaging groove, the retaining member is housed in the housing portion, and the connecting and holding members are coupled to each other. Since the configuration and function of each member are the same as those of the connecting portion 27, description thereof is omitted.

上記構成の作用を説明する。湾曲部１５ａ，１５ｂの湾曲動作を繰り返すうちに、操作ワイヤが常に弛んだ状態（押し出し側、引っ張り側に関係なく）となって、湾曲部１５ａ，１５ｂの湾曲動作の応答が鈍くなる場合がある。このようなとき、内視鏡１０のメンテナンスとして操作ワイヤの弛み調節を行う。   The operation of the above configuration will be described. While the bending operation of the bending portions 15a and 15b is repeated, the operation wire is always loosened (regardless of the extrusion side or the pulling side), and the response of the bending operation of the bending portions 15a and 15b may become dull. . In such a case, slack adjustment of the operation wire is performed as maintenance of the endoscope 10.

操作ワイヤの弛み調節を行うときには、例えばハウジング２０を取り外して、操作部１２の内部にアクセスする。そして、牽引駆動ワイヤ２５及び従動ワイヤ２９に弛みがある場合、リング状部材５８，５９を連結保持部材５６，５７から取り外して、連結保持部材５６，５７による係合部材５４の保持を解除する。牽引駆動ワイヤ２５及び従動ワイヤ２９の弛みに応じて係合部材５４が係合する係合溝６７ａ〜６７ｄ，６８ａ〜６８ｄのいずれかの位置を変更して粗調節を行う。このとき、係合部材５４は、例えば係合溝６７ａ，６８ａに係合する初期位置（図６の実線で示す位置）からプーリ側へ２段階移動した係合溝６７ｃ，６８ｃの位置（図６の２点鎖線で示す位置）へ係合する位置が変更される。なお、弛み調節が完全に終わるまで、リング状部材５８，５９は取り外した状態としておく。   When adjusting the slack of the operation wire, for example, the housing 20 is removed and the inside of the operation unit 12 is accessed. When the pulling drive wire 25 and the driven wire 29 are slack, the ring-shaped members 58 and 59 are removed from the connection holding members 56 and 57, and the holding of the engagement member 54 by the connection holding members 56 and 57 is released. Coarse adjustment is performed by changing the position of any of the engagement grooves 67a to 67d and 68a to 68d with which the engagement member 54 engages according to the looseness of the pulling drive wire 25 and the driven wire 29. At this time, for example, the engaging member 54 is moved in two stages from the initial position (position shown by the solid line in FIG. 6) to engage with the engaging grooves 67a and 68a to the pulley side (see FIG. 6). (The position indicated by the two-dot chain line) is changed. It should be noted that the ring-shaped members 58 and 59 are removed until the slack adjustment is completed.

係合部材５４と係合する係合溝６７ａ〜６７ｄ，６８ａ〜６８ｄのいずれかの位置を変更する粗調節では、操作ワイヤの弛みを取り除くことができない場合、図９に示すように、係合部材５４を係合溝６７ａ〜６７ｄ，６８ａ〜６８ｄから取り外し、雄ネジ５３ａと雌ネジ５４ａとが螺合する位置（螺じ込み量）を変更して微調節を行う。なお、図９に示す例では、図６に示す初期状態から雄ネジ部材５４がプーリ側へ３ピッチ分移動するように微調節が行われている。雄ネジ５３ａ及び雌ネジ５４ａは、係合溝６７，６８よりも小さいピッチで形成されているため、精密な弛み調節を行うことができる。そして、牽引駆動ワイヤ２５及び従動ワイヤ２９の弛み調節を終えたとき、連結保持部材５６，５７で係合部材５４を保持し、且つ抜け止め部材６０を収納した状態とし、リング状部材５８、５９を嵌合させることにより連結部２７を組み直した状態とする。   When the loose adjustment of the operation wire cannot be removed by the coarse adjustment that changes the position of any of the engagement grooves 67a to 67d and 68a to 68d that engage with the engagement member 54, as shown in FIG. The member 54 is removed from the engaging grooves 67a to 67d and 68a to 68d, and fine adjustment is performed by changing the position (screwing amount) where the male screw 53a and the female screw 54a are screwed together. In the example shown in FIG. 9, fine adjustment is performed so that the male screw member 54 moves to the pulley side by three pitches from the initial state shown in FIG. Since the male screw 53a and the female screw 54a are formed at a smaller pitch than the engagement grooves 67 and 68, precise slack adjustment can be performed. When the slack adjustment of the pulling drive wire 25 and the driven wire 29 is finished, the engagement member 54 is held by the connection holding members 56 and 57 and the retaining member 60 is accommodated, and the ring-shaped members 58 and 59 are stored. Are brought into a state where the connecting portion 27 is reassembled.

以上のように、係合部材５４と係合する係合溝６７ａ〜６７ｄ，６８ａ〜６８ｄの位置を変更することで従来よりも調節範囲が広い多段階の位置調節（粗調節）が可能となり、加えて、係合溝６７ａ〜６７ｄ，６８ａ〜６８ｄよりピッチが小さい雄ネジ５３ａ及び雌ネジ５４ａの螺じ込み量を変更することで、精密な弛み調節を行うことが可能となる。また、組み直しの際、ワイヤのハンダ付け直しを必要としないため、調節に手間と時間が掛からない。さらにまた、雄ネジ部材の加工については、従来のネジ付きスリーブと同様であり、コスト上昇を抑制することができる。   As described above, by changing the positions of the engagement grooves 67a to 67d and 68a to 68d that engage with the engagement member 54, multi-stage position adjustment (coarse adjustment) having a wider adjustment range than before can be performed. In addition, precise looseness adjustment can be performed by changing the screwing amounts of the male screw 53a and the female screw 54a whose pitch is smaller than that of the engaging grooves 67a to 67d and 68a to 68d. Further, since re-soldering of the wire is not required at the time of reassembly, adjustment takes less time and effort. Furthermore, the processing of the male screw member is the same as that of a conventional threaded sleeve, and an increase in cost can be suppressed.

上記第１実施形態においては、リング状部材を嵌合させることにより、一対の連結保持部材の分離を規制して結合させているが、本発明はこれに限るものではなく、以下で説明する本発明の第２実施形態では、一方の連結保持部材に係止爪を設け、他方の連結保持部材に被係止部を設けて互いに爪結合させる構成を例示して説明する。この第２実施形態では、図１０及び図１１に示すように、連結部８０は、雄ネジ部材５３と、係合部材５４と、一対の連結保持部材８１，８２と、抜け止め部材６０とからなる。なお、上記第１実施形態と同様の部材及び形状については同符号を付して説明を省略する。   In the first embodiment, the ring-shaped member is fitted to restrict the separation of the pair of connection holding members, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the book described below In the second embodiment of the present invention, a description will be given by exemplifying a configuration in which one coupling holding member is provided with a locking claw, and the other coupling holding member is provided with a locked portion to be coupled with each other. In the second embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the connecting portion 80 includes a male screw member 53, an engagement member 54, a pair of connection holding members 81 and 82, and a retaining member 60. Become. In addition, about the member and shape similar to the said 1st Embodiment, a same sign is attached | subjected and description is abbreviate | omitted.

連結保持部材８２は、箱状の先端及び基端部から連結保持部材８１側へ突出する係止爪８３が形成されており、連結保持部材８１は、係止爪８３によって係止される被係止部８４が形成されている。被係止部８４は、連結保持部材８１の先端及び基端の面から一段凹となり、係止爪８３が進入する凹部である。また、連結保持部材８１，８２の先端及び基端部には、内部の保持空間６１，６２と連続し、牽引駆動ワイヤ２５、従動ワイヤ３９を挿通させる開口部８５，８６が形成されている。   The connection holding member 82 is formed with a locking claw 83 that protrudes from the box-shaped distal end and base end portion toward the connection holding member 81, and the connection holding member 81 is engaged by the locking claw 83. A stop 84 is formed. The locked portion 84 is a recess that is recessed by one step from the front end and base end surfaces of the connection holding member 81 and into which the locking claw 83 enters. In addition, openings 85 and 86 that are continuous with the internal holding spaces 61 and 62 and through which the traction drive wire 25 and the driven wire 39 are inserted are formed at the distal ends and the base ends of the connection holding members 81 and 82.

上記第１実施形態と同様に、従動ワイヤ２９の端部に設けられた係合部材５４が、一対の連結保持部材８１，８２の係合溝６７ａ〜６７ｄ，６８ａ〜６８ｄのいずれかに係合し、抜け止め部材６０が収納部６９，７０の内部に収納され、係止爪８３が被係止部８４を係止して連結保持部材８１、８２が互いに爪結合することにより、連結部８０が組み立てられる。組み立てられた連結部８０は、上記第１実施形態の連結部２７と同様の機能を有する。   As in the first embodiment, the engaging member 54 provided at the end of the driven wire 29 is engaged with any of the engaging grooves 67a to 67d and 68a to 68d of the pair of connection holding members 81 and 82. Then, the retaining member 60 is housed in the housing portions 69 and 70, and the latching claws 83 latch the latched portions 84 and the coupling holding members 81 and 82 are pawl-coupled to each other. Is assembled. The assembled connecting portion 80 has the same function as the connecting portion 27 of the first embodiment.

上記第１及び第２実施形態では、従動ワイヤ２９と係合部材５４との間に雄ネジ部材５３を介して、雄ネジ部材５３の雄ネジ５３ａと、係合部材５４の雌ネジ５４ａの螺じ込み量を変更することにより微調節できる構成としているが、これに限定するものではなく、以下で説明する本発明の第３実施形態では、牽引駆動ワイヤ２５と抜け止め部材との間にも雄ネジ部材を介して微調節できる構成とする。この第３実施形態では、図１２に示すように、連結部９０は、雄ネジ部材５３と、係合部材５４と、一対の連結保持部材９１，９２と、リング状部材５８，５９と、雄ネジ部材９３と、抜け止め部材９４とからなる。なお、上記第１実施形態と同様の部材及び形状については同符号を付して説明を省略する。   In the first and second embodiments, the male screw 53 a of the male screw member 53 and the female screw 54 a of the engaging member 54 are screwed via the male screw member 53 between the driven wire 29 and the engaging member 54. Although it is configured to be able to finely adjust by changing the amount of penetration, it is not limited to this, and in the third embodiment of the present invention described below, it is also between the traction drive wire 25 and the retaining member. It is set as the structure which can be finely adjusted via a male screw member. In the third embodiment, as shown in FIG. 12, the connecting portion 90 includes a male screw member 53, an engaging member 54, a pair of connection holding members 91 and 92, ring-shaped members 58 and 59, and a male member. It consists of a screw member 93 and a retaining member 94. In addition, about the member and shape similar to the said 1st Embodiment, a same sign is attached | subjected and description is abbreviate | omitted.

雄ネジ部材９３は、上記第１実施形態の雄ネジ部材５３と同様の形状であり、外周に雄ネジ９３ａが形成され、基端側の内周面９３ｂが牽引駆動ワイヤ２５の外径に合わせた内径で、先端側の内周面９３ｃが基端側の内周面９３ｂよりも大きい内径に形成されている。牽引駆動ワイヤ２５の端部２５ａは、内周面９３ｂから雄ネジ部材９３に挿通され、内周面９３ｃにハンダ付けされることにより基端側へ離脱しないように雄ネジ部材９３に固着されている。抜け止め部材９４は、内周に雄ネジ９３ａと螺合する雌ネジ９４ａが形成されている。   The male screw member 93 has the same shape as that of the male screw member 53 of the first embodiment. The male screw member 93a is formed on the outer periphery, and the inner peripheral surface 93b on the base end side matches the outer diameter of the traction drive wire 25. The inner peripheral surface 93c on the distal end side has a larger inner diameter than the inner peripheral surface 93b on the proximal end side. The end portion 25a of the pulling drive wire 25 is inserted into the male screw member 93 from the inner peripheral surface 93b and fixed to the male screw member 93 so as not to be disengaged to the proximal end side by being soldered to the inner peripheral surface 93c. Yes. The retaining member 94 is formed with a female screw 94a that is screwed into the male screw 93a on the inner periphery.

一対の連結保持部材９１，９２は、内部に係合空間９５、９６をそれぞれ備えている。係合空間９５，９６は、上記第１実施形態と同様の係合溝６７ａ〜６７ｄ、６８ａ〜６８ｄ、収納部９７，９８が形成されている。また、抜け止め部材９４は、軸長が収納部９７，９８の軸長よりも短く、例えば軸方向中央を膨らませた樽形状に形成されている。これにより、抜け止め部材９４は、収納部９７，９８の内部を移動してワイヤの移動量の差を吸収することができる。   The pair of connection holding members 91 and 92 include engagement spaces 95 and 96, respectively. The engagement spaces 95 and 96 are formed with engagement grooves 67a to 67d and 68a to 68d and storage portions 97 and 98 similar to those in the first embodiment. Further, the retaining member 94 has an axial length shorter than the axial length of the storage portions 97 and 98, and is formed in a barrel shape in which, for example, the center in the axial direction is inflated. Thereby, the retaining member 94 can move inside the storage portions 97 and 98 to absorb the difference in the amount of movement of the wire.

係合部材５４が、係合溝６７ａ〜６７ｄ，６８ａ〜６８ｄのいずれかに係合し、抜け止め部材９４が収納部９７，９８に収納され、リング状部材５８，５９を嵌合させて連結保持部材９１，９２が互いに結合することにより連結部９０が組み立てられる。操作ワイヤの弛み調節を行うときには、係合部材５４と係合する係合溝６７ａ〜６７ｄ，６８ａ〜６８ｄの位置を変更する粗調節とともに、雄ネジ５３ａ及び雌ネジ５４ａの螺じ込み量、さらに雄ネジ９３ａ及び雌ネジ９４ａの螺じ込み量を変更する微調節を行うことができる。   The engaging member 54 is engaged with any of the engaging grooves 67a to 67d and 68a to 68d, the retaining member 94 is accommodated in the accommodating portions 97 and 98, and the ring-shaped members 58 and 59 are fitted and connected. When the holding members 91 and 92 are coupled to each other, the connecting portion 90 is assembled. When adjusting the slack of the operation wire, the amount of screwing of the male screw 53a and the female screw 54a, as well as rough adjustment to change the positions of the engaging grooves 67a to 67d and 68a to 68d engaged with the engaging member 54, Fine adjustment can be performed to change the screwing amount of the male screw 93a and the female screw 94a.

また、図１３に示すように、雄ネジ部材５３に対する係合部材５４の緩み止め対策としてロックナット１００を備えた構成としてもよい。この場合、雄ネジ部材５３の軸長は、係合部材５４及びロックナット１００を螺合させるのに十分な長さを有する。そして、雄ネジ部材５３に、係合部材５４及びロックナット１００を螺合させるときには、先ず、操作ワイヤの弛み調節に応じた螺じ込み量で、雄ネジ部材５３の雄ネジ５３ａと係合部材５４の雌ネジ５４ａとを螺合させる。次に係合部材５４の一方の端面とロックナット１００とを対面させるようにしてロックナット１００の雌ネジ１００ａを雄ネジ５３ａに螺合させる。このとき、ロックナット１００と係合部材５４とを互いに締め合うように螺じ込むと、係合部材５４が雄ネジ部材５３に対して緩みにくくなる。   Moreover, as shown in FIG. 13, it is good also as a structure provided with the lock nut 100 as a countermeasure against the loosening of the engaging member 54 with respect to the external thread member 53. FIG. In this case, the axial length of the male screw member 53 is long enough to screw the engagement member 54 and the lock nut 100 together. When the engaging member 54 and the lock nut 100 are screwed into the male screw member 53, first, the male screw 53a of the male screw member 53 and the engaging member are screwed in according to the loosening adjustment of the operation wire. The female screw 54a of 54 is screwed together. Next, the female screw 100a of the lock nut 100 is screwed into the male screw 53a so that one end face of the engaging member 54 faces the lock nut 100. At this time, if the lock nut 100 and the engagement member 54 are screwed together so as to be fastened together, the engagement member 54 is less likely to loosen with respect to the male screw member 53.

また、ロックナット１００を設けた場合、連結保持部材５６，５７の係合溝６７ａ〜６７ｄ，６８ａ〜６８ｄの軸長を、係合部材５４の軸長にロックナット１００の軸長を足した寸法となるように形成し、雄ネジ部材５３に螺合して一体となった係合部材５４及びロックナット１００が係合溝６７ａ〜６７ｄ，６８ａ〜６８ｄのいずれかに係合することが好ましい。さらにまた、ロックナット１００は、雄ネジ部材５３と係合部材５４との螺じ込み量に応じて、プーリ側（図１３に示す状態）、湾曲部側のいずれに螺合させるかを選択すればよい。すなわち、係合部材５４から雄ネジ５３ａが露呈する軸長が多い方を選択すれば、ロックナット１００の雌ネジ１００ａを雄ネジ５３ａに螺合させやすく、高い緩み止め効果を得ることができる。   In addition, when the lock nut 100 is provided, the dimensions of the engagement grooves 67 a to 67 d and 68 a to 68 d of the connection holding members 56 and 57 are added to the axis length of the engagement member 54 and the axis length of the lock nut 100. It is preferable that the engaging member 54 and the lock nut 100 that are formed so as to be integrated with each other and screwed into the male screw member 53 are engaged with any of the engaging grooves 67a to 67d and 68a to 68d. Furthermore, the lock nut 100 can be selected to be screwed into the pulley side (state shown in FIG. 13) or the curved portion side according to the screwing amount of the male screw member 53 and the engaging member 54. That's fine. That is, if the one with the larger axial length from which the male screw 53a is exposed from the engaging member 54 is selected, the female screw 100a of the lock nut 100 can be easily screwed into the male screw 53a, and a high locking prevention effect can be obtained.

上記各実施形態においては、従動ワイヤを押し引きする駆動力伝達機構としてプーリ及び牽引駆動ワイヤからなる構成を例に上げて説明しているが本発明はこれに限らず、例えば、スプロケット及びチェーンからなる駆動力伝達機構を採用してもよい。この場合、駆動力伝達機構を構成するチェーンと、２本の従動ワイヤとを、上記各実施形態と同様の連結部を介して連結し、チェーンが２本の従動ワイヤを押し引きする。   In each of the above embodiments, the drive force transmission mechanism for pushing and pulling the driven wire has been described by taking as an example a configuration including a pulley and a traction drive wire, but the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, from a sprocket and a chain A driving force transmission mechanism may be employed. In this case, the chain constituting the driving force transmission mechanism and the two driven wires are connected to each other through the same connecting portion as in the above embodiments, and the chain pushes and pulls the two driven wires.

また、上記各実施形態では、上下方向駆動系と、左右方向駆動系との両方を備えているが、いずれか一方を省略してもよい。また、各駆動系に２つの連結部材を設けているが、いずれか一方を省略してもよい。さらに、操作手段として操作ノブを説明しているが、レバー等の操作手段でもよい。さらにまた、上記各実施形態では、プーリと一対の連結部との間を１本の牽引駆動ワイヤで連結しているが、本発明ではこれに限らず、プーリと一対の連結部材との間を２本の牽引駆動ワイヤで連結してもよい。この場合には、プーリに二条の溝を設けて、一方の条の溝に一方の牽引駆動ワイヤの一端を、他方の条の溝に他方の牽引駆動ワイヤの一端を各々巻回して取り付ければよい。さらにまた、２本の牽引駆動ワイヤを取り付けた一対のアームを操作手段の回転操作に連動して回転させて一対の従動ワイヤを押し引きする構成を用いてもよい。   In each of the above embodiments, both the vertical drive system and the horizontal drive system are provided, but either one may be omitted. In addition, two connecting members are provided in each drive system, but either one may be omitted. Furthermore, although the operation knob has been described as the operation means, an operation means such as a lever may be used. Furthermore, in each of the above embodiments, the pulley and the pair of connecting portions are connected by a single traction drive wire. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the pulley and the pair of connecting members are connected. You may connect with two traction drive wires. In this case, the pulley is provided with two grooves, and one end of one traction drive wire is wound around one groove and one end of the other traction drive wire is wound around the other groove and attached. . Furthermore, a configuration may be used in which a pair of arms to which two traction drive wires are attached are rotated in conjunction with a rotation operation of the operation means to push and pull the pair of driven wires.

上記各実施形態では、電子内視鏡として説明しているが、ファイバスコープ等の光学的手段のみにて観察する内視鏡にも適用可能である。さらに、観察部位に挿入する挿入部の鉗子チャンネルに挿通した処置具をワイヤで起立させる処置具起立装置にも適用することができる。   In each of the above embodiments, the electronic endoscope is described, but the present invention can also be applied to an endoscope that is observed only by optical means such as a fiberscope. Furthermore, the present invention can also be applied to a treatment instrument erecting device that erects a treatment instrument inserted through a forceps channel of an insertion portion to be inserted into an observation site with a wire.

１０ 内視鏡
１１ 挿入部
１５ａ，１５ｂ 湾曲部
１２ 操作部
２１，２２ 操作ノブ
２５，３５ 牽引駆動ワイヤ
２７，２８，３６，３７ 連結部（操作ワイヤ連結装置）
２９，３０，３８，３９ 従動ワイヤ
５３ 雄ネジ部材
５３ａ 雄ネジ
５４ 係合部材
５４ａ 雌ネジ
５６，５７ 連結保持部材
５８，５９ リング状部材
６７ａ〜６７ｄ，６８ａ〜６８ｄ 係合溝 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Endoscope 11 Insertion part 15a, 15b Bending part 12 Operation part 21,22 Operation knob 25,35 Pulling drive wire 27,28,36,37 Connection part (operation wire connection apparatus)
29, 30, 38, 39 Follower wire 53 Male screw member 53a Male screw 54 Engaging member 54a Female screw 56, 57 Connection holding member 58, 59 Ring-shaped members 67a to 67d, 68a to 68d Engaging groove

Claims (5)

先端部の向きを変化させるために湾曲する湾曲部及び可撓性を有する軟性部が先端側から順に連設された挿入部の内部に挿通されたワイヤの基端部に固着され、雄ネジが外周に形成された雄ネジ部材と、
内周に前記雄ネジと螺合する雌ネジが形成されている係合部材と、
互いに結合して前記係合部材を内部に保持する一対の連結保持部材であって、操作手段の操作に伴って発生された駆動力を前記ワイヤに伝達して前記湾曲部を湾曲させる駆動力伝達機構に連結され、前記係合部材と係脱可能に係合し、前記雄ネジ及び雌ネジよりもピッチが大きい複数の係合溝が前記ワイヤの軸方向に沿って並列に形成された一対の連結保持部材とからなることを特徴とする内視鏡の操作ワイヤ連結装置。 A bending portion that bends in order to change the direction of the distal end portion and a flexible flexible portion are fixed to the proximal end portion of the wire inserted into the insertion portion that is continuously provided from the distal end side, and the male screw is A male screw member formed on the outer periphery;
An engagement member in which an internal thread is formed on the inner periphery to be screwed with the external thread;
A pair of connecting and holding members that are coupled to each other to hold the engaging member therein, and that transmits a driving force generated in response to an operation of the operating means to the wire to bend the bending portion. A pair of engagement grooves that are coupled to a mechanism, are detachably engaged with the engagement member, and are formed in parallel along the axial direction of the wire. An operation wire coupling device for an endoscope, comprising a coupling holding member. 前記一対の連結保持部材の外周に嵌合して前記一対の連結保持部材の分離を規制するリング状部材を備えたことを特徴とする請求項１記載の内視鏡の操作ワイヤ連結装置。   The endoscope operation wire coupling device according to claim 1, further comprising a ring-shaped member that is fitted to an outer periphery of the pair of coupling holding members to regulate separation of the pair of coupling holding members. 前記一対の連結保持部材は、一方に形成された係止爪で他方を係止して互いに結合することを特徴とする請求項１または２記載の内視鏡の操作ワイヤ連結装置。   3. The operation wire coupling device for an endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the pair of coupling holding members are coupled to each other by locking the other with a locking claw formed on one side. 前記駆動力伝達機構は、前記操作手段に連動して回転するプーリと、前記プーリに掛けられた牽引駆動ワイヤとからなり、前記牽引駆動ワイヤの端部に固着された抜け止め部材を備え、前記連結保持部材は、内部に前記抜け止め部材を収納する収納部が設けられており、前記抜け止め部材は、前記収納部内を軸方向に沿って移動自在とすることを特徴とする請求項１ないし３いずれか１項記載の内視鏡の操作ワイヤ連結装置。   The driving force transmission mechanism includes a pulley that rotates in conjunction with the operation means, and a traction drive wire that is hung on the pulley, and includes a retaining member fixed to an end of the traction drive wire, The connection holding member is provided with a storage portion for storing the retaining member therein, and the retaining member is movable in the storage portion along the axial direction. The operation wire connecting device for an endoscope according to any one of claims 3 to 4. 前記挿入部と、前記ワイヤと、前記操作手段と、前記駆動力伝達機構と、前記挿入部の基端側に設けられ、前記操作手段及び前記駆動力伝達機構が組み込まれた本体操作部と、請求項１ないし４いずれか１項記載の前記操作ワイヤ連結装置とを備えたことを特徴とする内視鏡。   The insertion portion, the wire, the operation means, the driving force transmission mechanism, a main body operation portion provided on the proximal end side of the insertion portion and incorporating the operation means and the driving force transmission mechanism, An endoscope comprising the operation wire coupling device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

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