WO2014024302A1 - Structure for endoscope bendable part - Google Patents

Structure for endoscope bendable part Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2014024302A1
WO2014024302A1 PCT/JP2012/070489 JP2012070489W WO2014024302A1 WO 2014024302 A1 WO2014024302 A1 WO 2014024302A1 JP 2012070489 W JP2012070489 W JP 2012070489W WO 2014024302 A1 WO2014024302 A1 WO 2014024302A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
wire guide
side engaging
guide
node ring
wire
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PCT/JP2012/070489
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French (fr)
Japanese (ja)
Inventor
野村　勝彦
Original Assignee
嘉潤國際有限公司
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Priority to PCT/JP2012/070489 priority Critical patent/WO2014024302A1/en
Publication of WO2014024302A1 publication Critical patent/WO2014024302A1/en

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    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B1/00—Instruments for performing medical examinations of the interior of cavities or tubes of the body by visual or photographical inspection, e.g. endoscopes; Illuminating arrangements therefor
    • A61B1/00064—Constructional details of the endoscope body
    • A61B1/0011—Manufacturing of endoscope parts
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B1/00—Instruments for performing medical examinations of the interior of cavities or tubes of the body by visual or photographical inspection, e.g. endoscopes; Illuminating arrangements therefor
    • A61B1/005—Flexible endoscopes
    • A61B1/0051—Flexible endoscopes with controlled bending of insertion part
    • A61B1/0055—Constructional details of insertion parts, e.g. vertebral elements
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B1/00—Instruments for performing medical examinations of the interior of cavities or tubes of the body by visual or photographical inspection, e.g. endoscopes; Illuminating arrangements therefor
    • A61B1/005—Flexible endoscopes
    • A61B1/0051—Flexible endoscopes with controlled bending of insertion part
    • A61B1/0057—Constructional details of force transmission elements, e.g. control wires

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an endoscope bending portion structure.
  • an endoscope includes an endoscope bending portion (hereinafter referred to as a bending portion) for directing a visual field in a desired direction.
  • the bending portion includes a large number of flat cylindrical node rings (angle rings, bending pieces), and a large number of node rings are arranged in the direction of the cylinder center axis and are pivotally attached so as to be rotatable (oscillated) in order.
  • a wire guide is fixed to the inner surfaces of these many node rings, and an operation wire is movably inserted through the wire guide.
  • the operation wire is provided with two (one pair) or four (one pair two sets) according to the flexibility of the bending direction required for the bending portion, and the wires arranged on the inner surface of each node ring. After being inserted into the guide, its front end is fixed to the fixed portion at the front end of the bending portion, and its rear end is guided to the operation portion.
  • the bending unit is bent in the vertical direction or the horizontal direction.
  • Conventional wire guides are made of a cylindrical body (see Patent Document 1), a part of a wall of a node ring cut and processed (see Patent Document 2), and inserted and fixed in a hole formed in the node ring. And a specially shaped wire guide (see Patent Documents 3 and 4) in which a leg portion and a cylindrical portion through which an operation wire is inserted are integrated.
  • connection pins and the wire guides of Patent Documents 3 and 4 also serve as pins for connecting the node rings, and there is an advantage that the connection pins and the wire guides can be positioned at the same position in the circumferential direction. These parts are complicated in shape and difficult to assemble.
  • the present invention has been created in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is a simple structure that can increase the adhesive strength with a node ring, and is easy to assemble and inexpensive.
  • the object is to provide a mirror bending portion structure.
  • An endoscope bending portion structure in which a plurality of cylindrical node rings are arranged in the axial direction of the cylinder and are rotatably connected to each other, and an operation wire is inserted through a wire guide disposed on the inner peripheral surface of the node ring.
  • the wire guide is constituted by a coil spring having a guide portion for guiding the operation wire and a wire guide side engagement portion
  • the node ring is formed with a node ring side engaging portion that is engaged with the wire guide side engaging portion
  • the wire guide includes a wire guide side engaging portion and a node ring side engaging portion.
  • an endoscope bending portion structure that has a simple structure and can increase the adhesive strength with the node ring, and that is easy to assemble and low in cost.
  • FIG. 4 is a detailed view corresponding to FIG. 3 showing an endoscope bending portion structure according to a second embodiment of the present invention, where (A) is a plan sectional view, and (B) is a side surface taken along line BB of (A). It is sectional drawing.
  • FIG. 4 is a detailed view corresponding to FIG.
  • FIGS. 4A and 4B are detailed views corresponding to FIG. 3 showing an endoscope bending portion structure according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, in which FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional plan view, and FIG. It is sectional drawing.
  • the endoscope according to the present embodiment is configured as a medical endoscope.
  • the endoscope includes an insertion portion 10 to be inserted into the body, an operation portion 11 connected to the proximal end portion of the insertion portion 10, and a universal connected to the operation portion 11.
  • Cord 12 The insertion portion 10 includes a distal end rigid portion 13, a bendable bending portion 14 provided continuously with the proximal end of the distal end rigid portion 13, and a flexible flexible portion 15 provided continuously with the proximal end of the bending portion 14. And comprising.
  • the flexible part 15 has a length of several meters in order to allow the distal rigid part 13 to reach a target position in the body.
  • the distal end rigid portion 13 includes an objective lens and a solid-state imaging device.
  • the image light of the site to be observed taken in from the objective lens is imaged by the solid-state imaging device.
  • An image signal obtained by the solid-state imaging device is sent to a processor device (not shown) connected to the universal cord 12 via a signal cable (not shown) inserted into the insertion unit 10 and the operation unit 11. Sent.
  • the processor device performs various types of image processing on the image signal, and displays it as an endoscopic image on a monitor (not shown). Further, the distal end rigid portion 13 is provided with an illumination window.
  • Illumination light from a light source device (not shown) connected to the universal cord 12 is guided to an illumination window via a light guide (not shown) inserted into the insertion unit 10 and the operation unit 11 to be illuminated. Irradiated from the window to the observed site.
  • the operation unit 11 is provided with a forceps port 16.
  • a treatment tool such as a forceps or an injection needle used for treatment of the affected part is inserted into the forceps port 16.
  • the forceps port 16 is connected to a forceps channel 17 (broken line) disposed in the insertion portion 10.
  • the forceps channel 17 is connected to a forceps outlet (not shown) provided in the distal end rigid portion 13.
  • the operation unit 11 is provided with an air / water supply button 18 and a suction button 19.
  • the air / water supply button 18 is operated when a liquid such as air or water is allowed to flow through an air / water supply channel (not shown) provided in the insertion portion 10.
  • the air or liquid that has flowed through the air / water supply channel is ejected from a nozzle (not shown) provided in the distal end rigid portion 13.
  • the suction button 19 is operated when sucking an object to be sucked such as a body fluid or tissue through the forceps channel 17.
  • the bending portion 14 includes a plurality (generally a dozen) node rings (angle rings, bending pieces) 20.
  • the plurality of node rings 20 are connected in series, and the outer periphery of the connected node rings 20 is covered with a flexible angle rubber 21.
  • the leading (front end) node ring 20 is fixed to the distal end rigid portion 13.
  • the bending portion 14 bends in the vertical direction in conjunction with the operation of the vertical angle knob 22 provided in the operation portion 11, and bends in the horizontal direction in conjunction with the operation of the left and right angle knob 23. Thereby, the front-end
  • FIG. 2 shows two node rings 20 constituting the bending portion 14.
  • the node ring 20 includes a cylindrical portion 25 and two pairs of an inner tongue 26 and an outer tongue 27 that form a pair with each other.
  • the two inner velocities 26, 26 are spaced apart 180 degrees in the circumferential direction from the end of the cylindrical portion 25 on the side of the operating portion 11, and project in the cylindrical axis direction.
  • Each of the 13 side end sides protrudes at a position facing the two inner velocities 26 and 26. That is, the inner tongue 26 and the outer tongue 27 are alternately arranged at intervals of 90 degrees in the circumferential direction of the cylindrical portion 25.
  • the inner tongue 26 is located one step away from the outer tongue 27 inward in the radial direction of the cylindrical portion 25. The amount of deviation is about the thickness of the cylindrical portion 25.
  • the inner tongue 26 has a connecting hole 28 at its center
  • the outer tongue 27 has a connecting hole 29 at its center.
  • the front and rear node rings 20, 20 are pivotally attached to each other by a connecting pin 30 inserted across the connecting hole 28 of the inner tongue 26 and the connecting hole 29 of the outer tongue 27.
  • the two node rings 20, 20 depicted in FIG. 2 can be bent in the left-right direction by the upper and lower connecting pins 30 in FIG. 2.
  • the node ring which is not shown in figure connected similarly via the connection pin 30 before and behind the two node rings 20 and 20 can be bent in the up-down direction. In this way, the bending portion 14 can be bent up and down and left and right by sequentially connecting a plurality of flat cylindrical node rings 20 arranged in the direction of the cylinder axis in order.
  • FIG. 2 shows only a pair of wire guides 40, 40 for bending in the left-right direction. That is, the pair of wire guides 40 and 40 are fixed to the inner peripheral surface of the node ring 20 to which the pair of left and right bending operation wires 32 and 32 are wired, respectively.
  • an operation wire and a wire guide for bending in the vertical direction are provided.
  • the operation wire 32 has a front end portion fixed to the distal end rigid portion 13 of FIG.
  • the rear end portion of the operation wire 32 is guided to the operation portion 11 through the flexible portion 15, and is coupled to the vertical angle knob 22 (and the left and right angle knob 23) as a bending operation mechanism.
  • the wire guide 40 (hereinafter referred to as a coil spring wire guide) according to the present embodiment is constituted by a closely wound coil spring.
  • the coil spring wire guide 40 is disposed at a specified position on the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 25 of the node ring 20, and is a fixed portion formed by brazing using a brazing filler metal. It is fixed by P.
  • the coil spring wire guide 40 includes a guide portion 41 for guiding the operation wire 32 and a wire guide side engagement portion (hereinafter referred to as a first engagement portion) 42 formed at the center in the length direction of the guide portion 41. And having.
  • the guide part 41 is constituted by a constant-diameter coil part of a closely wound coil spring.
  • the first engaging portion 42 is configured in series with the guide portion 41 with the central portion of the closely wound coil spring bulging outward in the radial direction.
  • the outer diameter of the first engaging portion 42 is formed to be larger than the outer diameter of the guide portion 41, that is, the outer diameter of the constant-diameter shaped portion of the closely wound coil spring. It is a concentric circle.
  • a through hole 43 as a node ring side engaging portion (hereinafter referred to as a second engaging portion) is formed at a position where the left and right bending operation wire 32 is laid on the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 25 of the node ring 20.
  • the coil spring wire guide 40 has a hard solder (a high melting point of 450 ° C. or higher) such as silver solder or gold solder in a state where the first engaging portion 42 is engaged with the through hole 43 from the inside of the cylindrical portion 25. It is fixed by a fixing portion P formed by brazing using a brazing filler metal.
  • the closely wound coil spring constituting the coil spring wire guide 40 is a coil spring in which a wire having a circular cross section (so-called round wire) made of a stainless steel material for a spring is closely wound in a cylindrical shape.
  • the coil spring wire guide 40 has a wire diameter, an outer diameter D2 of the constant diameter coil portion (guide portion 41), an outer diameter D1 of the large diameter coil portion (first engaging portion 42), an inner diameter d of the constant diameter coil portion, There is a wide degree of freedom in selecting the axial length L and the like.
  • wire diameter 0.2 to 0.3 mm
  • outer diameter D1 1.3 to 1.9 mm
  • outer diameter D2 1.0 to 1.3 mm
  • inner diameter d 0.6 to 1 3 mm.
  • the coil spring wire guide 40 is formed into a tightly wound coil from a wire having a circular cross section, and therefore uses a smooth R surface (convex curved surface) at the inner diameter end of both ends without requiring any special post-processing. Thus, friction with the operation wire 32 can be reduced.
  • the node ring 20 is made of, for example, a stainless steel material.
  • a cylindrical coil spring is optimal as a material for the wire guide, and if an engagement portion that engages the coil spring and the node ring is formed, the adhesive strength can be easily increased. Based on discovery.
  • the advantage of the cylindrical coil spring is that it is easy to obtain including the selection of the diameter, and that the R surface of the coil wire material is preliminarily attached to the inner circumferential surface of the end, so that R machining is not necessary, Since a periodic gap is formed on the contact surface with the ring by the R surface of the coil wire rod, it can be mentioned that it can be fixed to the node ring with high connection strength by interposing a hard solder in this gap.
  • the advantages of the coil spring wire guide are significant when compared with a conventional cylindrical body (a wire guide disclosed in Patent Document 1) that cuts a metal pipe.
  • the first engaging portion 42 can be easily formed by bulging the central portion of the tightly wound coil spring outward in the radial direction. Since the through hole 43 can be easily bored in the cylindrical portion 25, the second engaging portion 43 can be easily configured in the cylindrical portion 25. For example, the through-hole 43 can be drilled into the cylindrical portion 25, or can be molded simultaneously with the cylindrical portion 25 during molding (pressing or molding).
  • the through hole 43 and the first engagement portion Since the hard solder (silver solder or gold solder) enters the gap S between the contact surfaces 42 by capillary action or surface tension, the fixed portion P is formed, so that the coil spring wire guide 40 is attached to the node ring 20. It can be fixed securely.
  • the advantage of brazing is that hard brazing enters the gap S between adjacent circular wires formed (generated) on the contact surface between the coil spring wire guide 40 and the cylindrical portion 25 of the node ring 20, and is firmly bonded. Is in the point where is obtained.
  • the hard solder is not only in the contact portion between the first engagement portion 42 and the second engagement portion 43 but also in the gap S between the circular wire rods of the adjacent coil spring wire guide 40 on the center side of the node ring 20.
  • the fixing portion P has an effect of making the coil spring wire guide 40 itself a strong cylindrical body.
  • FIG. 4 shows a second embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment is different from the first embodiment in the configuration of the first engagement portion.
  • the coil spring wire guide 40A according to the present embodiment includes a guide portion 41 and a first engagement portion 42 formed at the center in the length direction of the guide portion 41, as in the first embodiment. .
  • the first engagement portion 42 is eccentric with respect to the guide portion 41 so that the end portion on the center side of the node ring 20 contacts the same tangential plane. That is, the guide part 41 and the first engagement part 42 have the same tangent line on the center side of the node ring 20.
  • the first engaging portion 42 does not protrude toward the center side of the node ring 20 with respect to the guide portion 41.
  • the storage space of the built-in object stored in the bending portion 14) is not sacrificed.
  • FIG. 5 shows a third embodiment of the present invention.
  • This embodiment is different from the first embodiment in the configuration of the first engagement portion and the second engagement portion.
  • both end portions of the guide portion 41 are extended outwardly to project the fixed leg portion 44 as the first engagement portion, and the cylindrical shape of the node ring 20
  • a pair of through holes 45, 45 for receiving the fixed leg portion 44 are formed as second engaging portions. According to this embodiment, there is an advantage that it is not necessary to process the coil spring by selecting the coil spring having a pair of locking portions.
  • FIG. 6 shows a third embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment is different from the first embodiment in the configuration of the first engagement portion and the second engagement portion.
  • a central portion in the length direction of the guide portion 41 is cut into a flat surface (so-called chamfering), and a notch portion 48 is formed as a first engagement portion.
  • an engagement convex portion 49 as a second engagement portion that engages with the notch portion 48 is formed on a flat surface.
  • the cutout portion 48 can be easily formed by chamfering the central portion of the close-wound coil spring, so that the first engagement portion 42 can be easily formed.
  • the first engagement portion 42 does not protrude toward the center side of the node ring 20 with respect to the guide portion 41, so that the built-in object stored in the node ring 20 (curved portion 14) There is an advantage that storage space is not sacrificed.
  • the coil spring wire guides 40A, 40B, 40C of the second to fourth embodiments are similar to the coil spring wire guide 40 of the first embodiment, and the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 25 of the node ring 20 by the fixing portion P. Fixed to.
  • FIG. 2 is merely an example of the shape of the node ring 20 and the coupling (pivoting) structure of the front and rear node rings.
  • the present invention can be applied regardless of the shape of the node ring and the joint (pivot) structure of the front and rear node rings.
  • the “constant diameter” of the constant diameter coil portion of the coil spring constituting the guide portion 41 does not mean “constant diameter” in a microscopic sense.
  • the diameter may be a “constant diameter”, that is, a diameter that allows the operation wire 32 to slide smoothly and relatively. That is, the coil spring is not limited to a cylindrical coil spring, and may be a non-cylindrical shape (via barrel shape, drum shape) or the like.
  • the coil spring is not limited to a compression coil spring, and may be a tension coil spring, a torsion coil spring, or the like.
  • the first engaging portion 42 is not limited to being provided at the central portion of the guide portion 41, but may be provided at the end portion of the guide portion 41, not limited to being provided at one location, and may be provided at a plurality of locations.
  • the second engagement portion is not limited to being formed in the through hole, but may be formed in a non-through hole (so-called blind hole), a depression, a groove, a recess, or the like.
  • the fixing portion P is not limited to being formed by brazing, but soldering (soldering iron) using soft brazing (a soldering filler material having a low melting point of less than 450 ° C., also referred to as solder), heat or pressure, or its It is possible to use fixing means such as welding that joins two members by both of them, adhesion or the like that joins two surfaces by chemical or physical force by an adhesive, or both.
  • the present invention is not limited to this, and can be applied to general endoscope bending portion structures such as industrial endoscopes.
  • the endoscope bending portion structure of the present invention can be widely used for all endoscopes such as medical endoscopes or industrial endoscopes.

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Abstract

Provided is a structure for an endoscope bendable part, with which the bonding strength to joint rings can be increased using a simple structure, and which is easy to assemble and has reduced costs. In this structure for an endoscope bendable part, a plurality of cylindrical joint rings (20) are aligned in the cylinder center axis direction, with each said joint ring (20) being coupled in a rotatable manner, with manipulation wires (32) threaded through wire guides (40) that are positioned upon the inner circumferential faces of the joint rings (20). The wire guides (40) are configured by coil springs having guide parts (41) that guide the manipulation wires (32), and wire-guide-side engagement parts (42). Joint-ring-side engagement parts (43), which are engaged with the wire-guide-side engagement parts (42), are formed in the joint rings (20). The wire guides (40) formed from coil springs are fixed to the joint rings (20) by fixing parts (P) that are formed by brazing the wire-guide-side engagement parts (42) and the joint-ring-side engagement parts (43).

Description

内視鏡湾曲部構造Endoscope bending part structure
　本発明は、内視鏡湾曲部構造に関する。 The present invention relates to an endoscope bending portion structure.
　一般に、内視鏡は視野を所望の方向に向けるための内視鏡湾曲部（以下、湾曲部という）を備えている。湾曲部は扁平筒状の節輪（アングルリング、湾曲駒）を多数備えており、多数の節輪が筒心軸方向に並べられて順に回動（揺動）自在に枢着されている。これら多数の節輪の内面にはワイヤガイドが固定され、ワイヤガイドには操作ワイヤが移動自在に挿通されている。
　通常、操作ワイヤは湾曲部に要求される湾曲方向の自在性に応じて、２本（一対）または４本（一対２組）が備えられており、各節輪の内面にそれぞれ配置されたワイヤガイドに挿通された後、その前端が湾曲部前端の固定部に固定され、その後端が操作部に導かれている。
　そして、操作部に設けられた湾曲操作手段の操作により、一対の操作ワイヤの一方が引かれ、他方が繰り出されると、湾曲部は上下方向または左右方向に湾曲操作される。 In general, an endoscope includes an endoscope bending portion (hereinafter referred to as a bending portion) for directing a visual field in a desired direction. The bending portion includes a large number of flat cylindrical node rings (angle rings, bending pieces), and a large number of node rings are arranged in the direction of the cylinder center axis and are pivotally attached so as to be rotatable (oscillated) in order. A wire guide is fixed to the inner surfaces of these many node rings, and an operation wire is movably inserted through the wire guide.
Usually, the operation wire is provided with two (one pair) or four (one pair two sets) according to the flexibility of the bending direction required for the bending portion, and the wires arranged on the inner surface of each node ring. After being inserted into the guide, its front end is fixed to the fixed portion at the front end of the bending portion, and its rear end is guided to the operation portion.
When one of the pair of operation wires is pulled by the operation of the bending operation means provided in the operation unit and the other is drawn out, the bending unit is bent in the vertical direction or the horizontal direction.
　従来のワイヤガイドは、筒状体からなるもの（特許文献１参照）、節輪の壁の一部を切起し加工したもの（特許文献２参照）および節輪に形成した孔部に挿入固定される脚部と操作ワイヤを挿通する筒部を一体に構成した特殊形状のワイヤガイド（特許文献３、４参照）、に大別される。 Conventional wire guides are made of a cylindrical body (see Patent Document 1), a part of a wall of a node ring cut and processed (see Patent Document 2), and inserted and fixed in a hole formed in the node ring. And a specially shaped wire guide (see Patent Documents 3 and 4) in which a leg portion and a cylindrical portion through which an operation wire is inserted are integrated.
特開２００６- ３１１９１８号公報JP 2006- 391818 特開２００８- ２７９０５５号公報JP 2008- 279055 A 特開２００９- ２６１６１０号公報JP 2009- 261610 A 特開２０１０- １７８８６３号公報JP 2010- 178863 A
　しかしながら、これらのワイヤガイドには次のような問題点がある。
（１）特許文献１のような筒状体は節輪内面に対する接着強度が弱い。また、操作ワイヤの円滑な摺動を確保するため、筒状体の端部内面を円滑な円弧断面に加工しなければならない。
（２）特許文献２のような節輪の壁を切り起こすワイヤガイドは、加工が困難である。
（３）特許文献３、４のような特殊形状のワイヤガイドは、加工が困難であるばかりか、ワイヤガイド自体が全長２～３ｍｍ程度の微細な部品であることから、組立も困難であり、コストが高い。また、特許文献３、４のワイヤガイドは、節輪を接続するピンを兼ねているものであり、接続ピンとワイヤガイドを周方向の同一位置に位置させることができるという利点があるが、ワイヤガイドの部品形状が複雑で、組立も困難である。 However, these wire guides have the following problems.
(1) The cylindrical body as in Patent Document 1 has low adhesive strength to the inner surface of the node ring. Further, in order to ensure smooth sliding of the operation wire, the inner surface of the end portion of the cylindrical body must be processed into a smooth circular cross section.
(2) It is difficult to process a wire guide that cuts a wall of a node ring as in Patent Document 2.
(3) The specially shaped wire guides as in Patent Documents 3 and 4 are not only difficult to process, but also the assembly is difficult because the wire guide itself is a fine part with a total length of about 2 to 3 mm. Cost is high. Further, the wire guides of Patent Documents 3 and 4 also serve as pins for connecting the node rings, and there is an advantage that the connection pins and the wire guides can be positioned at the same position in the circumferential direction. These parts are complicated in shape and difficult to assemble.
　本発明は以上の問題点に鑑み創作されたものであり、本発明の目的は、単純構造で、節輪との接着強度を高くすることができ、しかも、組立が容易でコストが安い内視鏡湾曲部構造を提供することにある。 The present invention has been created in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is a simple structure that can increase the adhesive strength with a node ring, and is easy to assemble and inexpensive. The object is to provide a mirror bending portion structure.
　前記した課題を解決するための手段のうち代表的なものは、次の通りである。
　筒状の節輪が筒心軸方向に複数並べられてそれぞれ回動自在に連結され、前記節輪の内周面に配置されたワイヤガイドに操作ワイヤが挿通される内視鏡湾曲部構造であって、
　前記ワイヤガイドは、前記操作ワイヤを案内するガイド部およびワイヤガイド側係合部を有するコイルばね、によって構成されており、
　前記節輪には前記ワイヤガイド側係合部に係合される節輪側係合部が形成されており、　前記ワイヤガイドは前記ワイヤガイド側係合部と前記節輪側係合部との間に形成された固定部によって前記節輪に固定されている、ことを特徴とする内視鏡湾曲部構造。 Typical means for solving the above-described problems are as follows.
An endoscope bending portion structure in which a plurality of cylindrical node rings are arranged in the axial direction of the cylinder and are rotatably connected to each other, and an operation wire is inserted through a wire guide disposed on the inner peripheral surface of the node ring. There,
The wire guide is constituted by a coil spring having a guide portion for guiding the operation wire and a wire guide side engagement portion,
The node ring is formed with a node ring side engaging portion that is engaged with the wire guide side engaging portion, and the wire guide includes a wire guide side engaging portion and a node ring side engaging portion. An endoscope bending portion structure characterized by being fixed to the node ring by a fixing portion formed therebetween.
　この手段によれば、単純構造で節輪との接着強度を高くすることができ、しかも、組立が容易でコストが安い内視鏡湾曲部構造を提供することができる。 According to this means, it is possible to provide an endoscope bending portion structure that has a simple structure and can increase the adhesive strength with the node ring, and that is easy to assemble and low in cost.
本発明の第一実施形態である内視鏡湾曲部構造を備えた内視鏡を示す正面図である。It is a front view which shows the endoscope provided with the endoscope bending part structure which is 1st embodiment of this invention. 本発明の第一実施形態である内視鏡湾曲部構造を示す一部省略斜視図である。It is a partially-omission perspective view which shows the endoscope bending part structure which is 1st embodiment of this invention. 図２のIII 部の詳細を示しており、（Ａ）は平面断面図、（Ｂ）は（Ａ）のＢ－Ｂ線に沿う側面断面図である。3A and 3B show details of the III collar part of FIG. 2, in which FIG. 2A is a plan cross-sectional view, and FIG. 本発明の第二実施形態である内視鏡湾曲部構造を示す図３に対応する詳細図であり、（Ａ）は平面断面図、（Ｂ）は（Ａ）のＢ－Ｂ線に沿う側面断面図である。FIG. 4 is a detailed view corresponding to FIG. 3 showing an endoscope bending portion structure according to a second embodiment of the present invention, where (A) is a plan sectional view, and (B) is a side surface taken along line BB of (A). It is sectional drawing. 本発明の第三実施形態である内視鏡湾曲部構造を示す図３に対応する詳細図であり、（Ａ）は平面断面図、（Ｂ）は（Ａ）のＢ－Ｂ線に沿う側面断面図である。FIG. 4 is a detailed view corresponding to FIG. 3 showing an endoscope bending portion structure according to a third embodiment of the present invention, where (A) is a plan sectional view, and (B) is a side surface taken along line BB of (A). It is sectional drawing. 本発明の第四実施形態である内視鏡湾曲部構造を示す図３に対応する詳細図であり、（Ａ）は平面断面図、（Ｂ）は（Ａ）のＢ－Ｂ線に沿う側面断面図である。FIGS. 4A and 4B are detailed views corresponding to FIG. 3 showing an endoscope bending portion structure according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, in which FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional plan view, and FIG. It is sectional drawing.
２０　節輪
２２　上下アングルノブ（湾曲操作機構）
２３　左右アングルノブ（湾曲操作機構）
２５　円筒部
３２　操作ワイヤ
４０　４０Ａ　４０Ｂ　４０Ｃ　４０Ｄ　コイルばね製ワイヤガイド
４１　ガイド部
４２　ワイヤガイド側係合部（第一係合部）
４３　貫通孔（節輪側係合部、第二係合部）
４４　固定脚部（第一係合部）
４５　貫通孔（第二係合部）
４８　切欠部（第一係合部）
４９　係合凸部（第二係合部）
Ｓ　隙間
Ｐ　固定部（ロウ付け部） 20 Node 22 Vertical angle knob (bending mechanism)
23 Left and right angle knob (bending mechanism)
25 cylindrical portion 32 operation wire 40 40A 40B 40C 40D coil spring wire guide 41 guide portion 42 wire guide side engagement portion (first engagement portion)
43 Through-hole (node-ring side engaging part, second engaging part)
44 Fixed leg (first engaging part)
45 Through hole (second engagement part)
48 Notch (first engaging part)
49 engagement convex part (second engagement part)
S Clearance P Fixed part (brazing part)
　以下、本発明の一実施形態を図面に即して説明する。 Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
　図１～図３は本発明の第一実施形態を示している。
　本実施形態に係る内視鏡は、医療用内視鏡として構成されている。
　図１に示されているように、内視鏡は、体内に挿入される挿入部１０と、挿入部１０の基端部分に連設された操作部１１と、操作部１１に繋げられたユニバーサルコード１２とを備える。挿入部１０は、先端硬性部１３と、先端硬性部１３の基端に連設された湾曲自在な湾曲部１４と、湾曲部１４の基端に連設された可撓性を有する軟性部１５と、を備える。軟性部１５は、先端硬性部１３を体内の目的の位置に到達させるために、数ｍの長さを備える。 1 to 3 show a first embodiment of the present invention.
The endoscope according to the present embodiment is configured as a medical endoscope.
As shown in FIG. 1, the endoscope includes an insertion portion 10 to be inserted into the body, an operation portion 11 connected to the proximal end portion of the insertion portion 10, and a universal connected to the operation portion 11. Cord 12. The insertion portion 10 includes a distal end rigid portion 13, a bendable bending portion 14 provided continuously with the proximal end of the distal end rigid portion 13, and a flexible flexible portion 15 provided continuously with the proximal end of the bending portion 14. And comprising. The flexible part 15 has a length of several meters in order to allow the distal rigid part 13 to reach a target position in the body.
　先端硬性部１３には対物レンズや固体撮像素子が内蔵されている。対物レンズから取り込まれた体内の被観察部位の像光は、固体撮像素子によって撮像される。固体撮像素子で得られた画像信号は、挿入部１０および操作部１１内に挿通された信号ケーブル（図示せず）を介して、ユニバーサルコード１２とコネクタ接続されたプロセッサ装置（図示せず）に送信される。プロセッサ装置は、画像信号に対して各種画像処理を施し、モニタ（図示せず）に内視鏡画像として表示する。
　また、先端硬性部１３には、照明窓が設けられている。ユニバーサルコード１２にコネクタ接続された光源装置（図示せず）からの照明光が、挿入部１０および操作部１１内に挿通されたライトガイド（図示せず）を介して照明窓に導かれ、照明窓から被観察部位に照射される。 The distal end rigid portion 13 includes an objective lens and a solid-state imaging device. The image light of the site to be observed taken in from the objective lens is imaged by the solid-state imaging device. An image signal obtained by the solid-state imaging device is sent to a processor device (not shown) connected to the universal cord 12 via a signal cable (not shown) inserted into the insertion unit 10 and the operation unit 11. Sent. The processor device performs various types of image processing on the image signal, and displays it as an endoscopic image on a monitor (not shown).
Further, the distal end rigid portion 13 is provided with an illumination window. Illumination light from a light source device (not shown) connected to the universal cord 12 is guided to an illumination window via a light guide (not shown) inserted into the insertion unit 10 and the operation unit 11 to be illuminated. Irradiated from the window to the observed site.
　操作部１１には鉗子口１６が設けられている。鉗子口１６には患部の治療に用いられる鉗子や注射針といった処置具が挿通される。鉗子口１６は挿入部１０内に配設された鉗子チャンネル１７（破線）に接続される。鉗子チャンネル１７は、先端硬性部１３に設けられた鉗子出口（図示せず）に接続される。
　操作部１１には送気・送水ボタン１８および吸引ボタン１９が設けられている。送気・送水ボタン１８は、挿入部１０内に設けられた送気・送水チャンネル（図示せず）にエアーまたは水等の液体を流す際に、操作される。送気・送水チャンネルに流れたエアーまたは液体は、先端硬性部１３に設けられたノズル（図示せず）から噴射される。
　吸引ボタン１９は、体内の液体や組織等の被吸引物を鉗子チャンネル１７を通じて吸引する際に、操作される。 The operation unit 11 is provided with a forceps port 16. A treatment tool such as a forceps or an injection needle used for treatment of the affected part is inserted into the forceps port 16. The forceps port 16 is connected to a forceps channel 17 (broken line) disposed in the insertion portion 10. The forceps channel 17 is connected to a forceps outlet (not shown) provided in the distal end rigid portion 13.
The operation unit 11 is provided with an air / water supply button 18 and a suction button 19. The air / water supply button 18 is operated when a liquid such as air or water is allowed to flow through an air / water supply channel (not shown) provided in the insertion portion 10. The air or liquid that has flowed through the air / water supply channel is ejected from a nozzle (not shown) provided in the distal end rigid portion 13.
The suction button 19 is operated when sucking an object to be sucked such as a body fluid or tissue through the forceps channel 17.
　湾曲部１４は複数個（一般的に１０数個）の節輪（アングルリング、湾曲駒）２０を備える。複数個の節輪２０は直列に連結されており、連結された節輪２０の外周が柔軟性を有するアングルゴム２１によって被覆されている。先頭（前端）の節輪２０は先端硬性部１３に固定されている。
　そして、湾曲部１４は操作部１１に設けられた上下アングルノブ２２の操作に連動して上下方向に湾曲動作し、左右アングルノブ２３の操作に連動して左右方向に湾曲動作する。これにより、先端硬性部１３を体内の所望の方向に向けることができる。 The bending portion 14 includes a plurality (generally a dozen) node rings (angle rings, bending pieces) 20. The plurality of node rings 20 are connected in series, and the outer periphery of the connected node rings 20 is covered with a flexible angle rubber 21. The leading (front end) node ring 20 is fixed to the distal end rigid portion 13.
The bending portion 14 bends in the vertical direction in conjunction with the operation of the vertical angle knob 22 provided in the operation portion 11, and bends in the horizontal direction in conjunction with the operation of the left and right angle knob 23. Thereby, the front-end | tip hard part 13 can be orient | assigned to the desired direction in a body.
　図２は湾曲部１４を構成する節輪２０を二つ描いたものである。節輪２０は円筒部２５と、２組の互いに一対をなす内ベロ２６および外ベロ２７とを備える。二つの内ベロ２６、２６は円筒部２５の操作部１１側端辺に周方向に１８０度離されて筒心軸方向にそれぞれ突設されており、二つの外ベロ２７、２７は先端硬性部１３側端辺に二つの内ベロ２６、２６に対向する位置にそれぞれ突設されている。すなわち、内ベロ２６と外ベロ２７とは、円筒部２５の周方向に９０度間隔で交互に配されている。
　内ベロ２６は外ベロ２７に対して円筒部２５の径方向の内側に一段ずれて位置している。そのずれ量は、円筒部２５の板厚分程度である。 FIG. 2 shows two node rings 20 constituting the bending portion 14. The node ring 20 includes a cylindrical portion 25 and two pairs of an inner tongue 26 and an outer tongue 27 that form a pair with each other. The two inner velocities 26, 26 are spaced apart 180 degrees in the circumferential direction from the end of the cylindrical portion 25 on the side of the operating portion 11, and project in the cylindrical axis direction. Each of the 13 side end sides protrudes at a position facing the two inner velocities 26 and 26. That is, the inner tongue 26 and the outer tongue 27 are alternately arranged at intervals of 90 degrees in the circumferential direction of the cylindrical portion 25.
The inner tongue 26 is located one step away from the outer tongue 27 inward in the radial direction of the cylindrical portion 25. The amount of deviation is about the thickness of the cylindrical portion 25.
　内ベロ２６にはその中心に連結孔２８が穿たれており、外ベロ２７にはその中心に連結孔２９が穿たれている。前後の節輪２０、２０の同士は、内ベロ２６の連結孔２８と外ベロ２７の連結孔２９とに跨らせて挿通した連結ピン３０によって回動（揺動）自在に枢着される。図２に描いた二つの節輪２０、２０同士は、図２の上下の連結ピン３０により左右方向に湾曲可能である。
　そして、二つの節輪２０、２０の前後に同様に連結ピン３０を介して結合される図示しない節輪は、上下方向に湾曲可能である。このように、筒心軸方向に並べた複数個の偏平筒状の節輪２０を順に回動自在に結合することにより、湾曲部１４が上下左右に湾曲可能となる。 The inner tongue 26 has a connecting hole 28 at its center, and the outer tongue 27 has a connecting hole 29 at its center. The front and rear node rings 20, 20 are pivotally attached to each other by a connecting pin 30 inserted across the connecting hole 28 of the inner tongue 26 and the connecting hole 29 of the outer tongue 27. . The two node rings 20, 20 depicted in FIG. 2 can be bent in the left-right direction by the upper and lower connecting pins 30 in FIG. 2.
And the node ring which is not shown in figure connected similarly via the connection pin 30 before and behind the two node rings 20 and 20 can be bent in the up-down direction. In this way, the bending portion 14 can be bent up and down and left and right by sequentially connecting a plurality of flat cylindrical node rings 20 arranged in the direction of the cylinder axis in order.
　節輪２０の内周面には操作ワイヤ３２（図２に想像線で示す）が挿通される一対のワイヤガイド４０、４０が２組配置されて固定されている。簡単化のため、図２では左右方向湾曲用の一対のワイヤガイド４０、４０のみを描いている。すなわち、一対のワイヤガイド４０、４０は一対の左右方向湾曲用操作ワイヤ３２、３２が配線される節輪２０の内周面にそれぞれ固定されている。但し、実際には、上下方向湾曲用の操作ワイヤおよびワイヤガイドが設けられている。
　操作ワイヤ３２は前端部が図１の先端硬性部１３に固定されている。操作ワイヤ３２の後端部が軟性部１５を通って操作部１１に導かれ、湾曲操作機構としての上下アングルノブ２２（および左右アングルノブ２３）に結合されている。 Two pairs of wire guides 40 and 40 through which an operation wire 32 (shown by an imaginary line in FIG. 2) is inserted are arranged and fixed on the inner peripheral surface of the node ring 20. For simplicity, FIG. 2 shows only a pair of wire guides 40, 40 for bending in the left-right direction. That is, the pair of wire guides 40 and 40 are fixed to the inner peripheral surface of the node ring 20 to which the pair of left and right bending operation wires 32 and 32 are wired, respectively. However, actually, an operation wire and a wire guide for bending in the vertical direction are provided.
The operation wire 32 has a front end portion fixed to the distal end rigid portion 13 of FIG. The rear end portion of the operation wire 32 is guided to the operation portion 11 through the flexible portion 15, and is coupled to the vertical angle knob 22 (and the left and right angle knob 23) as a bending operation mechanism.
　図３に示されているように、本実施形態に係るワイヤガイド４０（以下、コイルばね製ワイヤガイドという）は密着巻コイルばねによって構成されている。コイルばね製ワイヤガイド４０は節輪２０の円筒部２５の内周面における指定された位置に配置されており、硬ロウ（brazing filler metal) を使用するロウ付け（brazing)によって形成された固定部Ｐによって固定されている。 As shown in FIG. 3, the wire guide 40 (hereinafter referred to as a coil spring wire guide) according to the present embodiment is constituted by a closely wound coil spring. The coil spring wire guide 40 is disposed at a specified position on the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 25 of the node ring 20, and is a fixed portion formed by brazing using a brazing filler metal. It is fixed by P.
　コイルばね製ワイヤガイド４０は、操作ワイヤ３２を案内するガイド部４１と、ガイド部４１の長さ方向の中央部に形成されたワイヤガイド側係合部（以下、第一係合部という）４２と、を有する。ガイド部４１は密着巻コイルばねの定径コイル部分によって構成されている。第一係合部４２は密着巻コイルばねの中央部分が径方向外側に膨出されてガイド部４１と一連に構成されている。第一係合部４２の外径はガイド部４１の外径すなわち密着巻コイルばねの一定径形状部分の外径よりも大径に形成されており、第一係合部４２はガイド部４１と同心円になっている。 The coil spring wire guide 40 includes a guide portion 41 for guiding the operation wire 32 and a wire guide side engagement portion (hereinafter referred to as a first engagement portion) 42 formed at the center in the length direction of the guide portion 41. And having. The guide part 41 is constituted by a constant-diameter coil part of a closely wound coil spring. The first engaging portion 42 is configured in series with the guide portion 41 with the central portion of the closely wound coil spring bulging outward in the radial direction. The outer diameter of the first engaging portion 42 is formed to be larger than the outer diameter of the guide portion 41, that is, the outer diameter of the constant-diameter shaped portion of the closely wound coil spring. It is a concentric circle.
　節輪２０の円筒部２５の内周面における左右方向湾曲用操作ワイヤ３２が敷設される位置には、節輪側係合部（以下、第二係合部という）としての貫通孔４３が形成されている。コイルばね製ワイヤガイド４０は第一係合部４２が貫通孔４３に円筒部２５の内側から係合された状態で、銀ロウまたは金ロウのような硬ロウ（４５０℃以上の高い融点を有するロウ接用溶加材）を使用したロウ付けが実施されて形成された固定部Ｐによって固定されている。 A through hole 43 as a node ring side engaging portion (hereinafter referred to as a second engaging portion) is formed at a position where the left and right bending operation wire 32 is laid on the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 25 of the node ring 20. Has been. The coil spring wire guide 40 has a hard solder (a high melting point of 450 ° C. or higher) such as silver solder or gold solder in a state where the first engaging portion 42 is engaged with the through hole 43 from the inside of the cylindrical portion 25. It is fixed by a fixing portion P formed by brazing using a brazing filler metal.
　コイルばね製ワイヤガイド４０を構成する密着巻コイルばねは、ばね用ステンレス鋼材からなる断面円形の線材（所謂丸線材）を円筒形状に密着巻きにしたコイルばねである。コイルばね製ワイヤガイド４０は、線径、定径コイル部分（ガイド部４１）の外径Ｄ２、大径コイル部分（第一係合部４２）の外径Ｄ１、定径コイル部分の内径ｄ、軸方向長Ｌ等の選択に広い自由度がある。
　本実施形態では、例えば、線径＝０．２～０．３ｍｍ、外径Ｄ１＝１．３～１．９ｍｍ、外径Ｄ２＝１．０～１．３ｍｍ、内径ｄ＝０．６～１．３ｍｍとしている。
　コイルばね製ワイヤガイド４０は、断面円形の線材から密着巻コイルに形成されているため、何ら特別な後加工を要することなく、両端部の内径端部の円滑なＲ面（凸曲面）を利用して、操作ワイヤ３２との摩擦を減じることができる。
　節輪２０は、例えばステンレス系鋼材からなる。 The closely wound coil spring constituting the coil spring wire guide 40 is a coil spring in which a wire having a circular cross section (so-called round wire) made of a stainless steel material for a spring is closely wound in a cylindrical shape. The coil spring wire guide 40 has a wire diameter, an outer diameter D2 of the constant diameter coil portion (guide portion 41), an outer diameter D1 of the large diameter coil portion (first engaging portion 42), an inner diameter d of the constant diameter coil portion, There is a wide degree of freedom in selecting the axial length L and the like.
In the present embodiment, for example, wire diameter = 0.2 to 0.3 mm, outer diameter D1 = 1.3 to 1.9 mm, outer diameter D2 = 1.0 to 1.3 mm, and inner diameter d = 0.6 to 1 3 mm.
The coil spring wire guide 40 is formed into a tightly wound coil from a wire having a circular cross section, and therefore uses a smooth R surface (convex curved surface) at the inner diameter end of both ends without requiring any special post-processing. Thus, friction with the operation wire 32 can be reduced.
The node ring 20 is made of, for example, a stainless steel material.
　次に、本実施形態の作用および効果を説明する。 Next, the operation and effect of this embodiment will be described.
　本発明は、ワイヤガイドの素材として筒状をなすコイルばねが最適であること、およびコイルばねと節輪に互いに係合する係合部を形成すれば容易に接着強度を高くすることができることの発見に基づく。 According to the present invention, a cylindrical coil spring is optimal as a material for the wire guide, and if an engagement portion that engages the coil spring and the node ring is formed, the adhesive strength can be easily increased. Based on discovery.
　筒状のコイルばねの利点は、径の選択を含めて入手が容易であること、端部内周面にはコイル線材のＲ面が予め付されているため、Ｒ加工が不要であること、節輪との接触面にはコイル線材のＲ面によって周期的な隙間ができるため、この隙間に硬ロウを介在させることにより、高い接続強度で節輪に固定できること、を挙げることができる。
　以上のコイルばね製ワイヤガイドの利点は、金属パイプを切断加工する従来の筒状体（特許文献１のワイヤガイド）と比較すると顕著である。 The advantage of the cylindrical coil spring is that it is easy to obtain including the selection of the diameter, and that the R surface of the coil wire material is preliminarily attached to the inner circumferential surface of the end, so that R machining is not necessary, Since a periodic gap is formed on the contact surface with the ring by the R surface of the coil wire rod, it can be mentioned that it can be fixed to the node ring with high connection strength by interposing a hard solder in this gap.
The advantages of the coil spring wire guide are significant when compared with a conventional cylindrical body (a wire guide disclosed in Patent Document 1) that cuts a metal pipe.
　第一係合部４２は密着巻コイルばねの中央部分を径方向外側に膨出することにより、容易に形成することができる。
　貫通孔４３は円筒部２５に容易に穿つことができるので、円筒部２５に第二係合部４３を容易に構成することができる。例えば、貫通孔４３は円筒部２５へドリル加工を実施したり、円筒部２５の成形加工時（プレス加工時またはモールド加工時）に同時に成形加工したりすることができる。 The first engaging portion 42 can be easily formed by bulging the central portion of the tightly wound coil spring outward in the radial direction.
Since the through hole 43 can be easily bored in the cylindrical portion 25, the second engaging portion 43 can be easily configured in the cylindrical portion 25. For example, the through-hole 43 can be drilled into the cylindrical portion 25, or can be molded simultaneously with the cylindrical portion 25 during molding (pressing or molding).
　コイルばね製ワイヤガイド４０の第一係合部４２が節輪２０の第二係合部としての貫通孔４３に係合された状態でロウ付けされると、貫通孔４３と第一係合部４２の接触面間の隙間Ｓに硬ロウ（銀ロウまたは金ロウ）が毛細管現象や表面張力等によって浸入することによって固定部Ｐが形成されるため、コイルばね製ワイヤガイド４０を節輪２０に確実に固定することができる。
　ロウ付けの利点は、コイルばね製ワイヤガイド４０と節輪２０の円筒部２５の接触面に形成されている（生じている）隣接する円形線材の隙間Ｓに硬ロウが浸入し、強固な結合が得られる点にある。
　加えて、硬ロウは第一係合部４２と第二係合部４３との接触部だけでなく、節輪２０の中心側の隣接するコイルばね製ワイヤガイド４０の円形線材の隙間Ｓにも回り込むため、固定部Ｐはコイルばね製ワイヤガイド４０自体を強固な筒状体とする作用がある。 When the first engagement portion 42 of the coil spring wire guide 40 is brazed in a state of being engaged with the through hole 43 as the second engagement portion of the node ring 20, the through hole 43 and the first engagement portion Since the hard solder (silver solder or gold solder) enters the gap S between the contact surfaces 42 by capillary action or surface tension, the fixed portion P is formed, so that the coil spring wire guide 40 is attached to the node ring 20. It can be fixed securely.
The advantage of brazing is that hard brazing enters the gap S between adjacent circular wires formed (generated) on the contact surface between the coil spring wire guide 40 and the cylindrical portion 25 of the node ring 20, and is firmly bonded. Is in the point where is obtained.
In addition, the hard solder is not only in the contact portion between the first engagement portion 42 and the second engagement portion 43 but also in the gap S between the circular wire rods of the adjacent coil spring wire guide 40 on the center side of the node ring 20. In order to wrap around, the fixing portion P has an effect of making the coil spring wire guide 40 itself a strong cylindrical body.
　図４は本発明の第二実施形態を示している。
　本実施形態が第一実施形態と異なる点は、第一係合部の構成である。
　本実施形態に係るコイルばね製ワイヤガイド４０Ａは、第一実施形態と同様に、ガイド部４１と、ガイド部４１の長さ方向の中央部に形成された第一係合部４２を備えている。第一係合部４２は、その節輪２０の中心側の端部が同一の接線平面に接触するようにガイド部４１に対して偏心している。すなわち、ガイド部４１と第一係合部４２とは節輪２０の中心側の接線が一致している。
　ガイド部４１に対して偏心した態様の第一係合部４２によると、第一係合部４２がガイド部４１に対して節輪２０の中心側に突出することがないので、節輪２０（湾曲部１４）内に収納する内蔵物の収納スペースを犠牲にすることがないという利点がある。 FIG. 4 shows a second embodiment of the present invention.
This embodiment is different from the first embodiment in the configuration of the first engagement portion.
The coil spring wire guide 40A according to the present embodiment includes a guide portion 41 and a first engagement portion 42 formed at the center in the length direction of the guide portion 41, as in the first embodiment. . The first engagement portion 42 is eccentric with respect to the guide portion 41 so that the end portion on the center side of the node ring 20 contacts the same tangential plane. That is, the guide part 41 and the first engagement part 42 have the same tangent line on the center side of the node ring 20.
According to the first engaging portion 42 that is eccentric with respect to the guide portion 41, the first engaging portion 42 does not protrude toward the center side of the node ring 20 with respect to the guide portion 41. There is an advantage that the storage space of the built-in object stored in the bending portion 14) is not sacrificed.
　図５は本発明の第三実施形態を示している。
　本実施形態が第一実施形態と異なる点は、第一係合部および第二係合部の構成である。　本実施形態に係るコイルばね製ワイヤガイド４０Ｂにおいては、ガイド部４１の両端部が外方に延長されて第一係合部としての固定脚部４４を突出形成されており、節輪２０の円筒部２５の壁面（内周面）には、固定脚部４４を受け入れる一対の貫通孔４５、４５が第二係合部として形成されている。
　本実施形態によれば、一対の係止部を有するコイルばねを選択することにより、コイルばねを加工せずに済むという利点がある。 FIG. 5 shows a third embodiment of the present invention.
This embodiment is different from the first embodiment in the configuration of the first engagement portion and the second engagement portion. In the coil spring wire guide 40B according to the present embodiment, both end portions of the guide portion 41 are extended outwardly to project the fixed leg portion 44 as the first engagement portion, and the cylindrical shape of the node ring 20 On the wall surface (inner peripheral surface) of the portion 25, a pair of through holes 45, 45 for receiving the fixed leg portion 44 are formed as second engaging portions.
According to this embodiment, there is an advantage that it is not necessary to process the coil spring by selecting the coil spring having a pair of locking portions.
　図６は本発明の第三実施形態を示している。
　本実施形態が第一実施形態と異なる点は、第一係合部および第二係合部の構成である。　本実施形態に係るコイルばね製ワイヤガイド４０Ｃにおいては、ガイド部４１の長さ方向の中央一部を平坦面に削って（所謂面取り加工）、第一係合部としての切欠部４８が形成されており、節輪２０の円筒部２５の壁面（内周面）に、切欠部４８に係合する第二係合部としての係合凸部４９が平坦面に形成されている。
　本実施形態によれば、切欠部４８は密着巻コイルばねの中央部分を面取り加工することによって容易に形成することができるので、第一係合部４２を容易に形成することができるという利点がある。
　また、切欠部４８によると、第一係合部４２がガイド部４１に対して節輪２０の中心側に突出することがないので、節輪２０（湾曲部１４）内に収納する内蔵物の収納スペースを犠牲にすることがないという利点がある。 FIG. 6 shows a third embodiment of the present invention.
This embodiment is different from the first embodiment in the configuration of the first engagement portion and the second engagement portion. In the coil spring wire guide 40C according to the present embodiment, a central portion in the length direction of the guide portion 41 is cut into a flat surface (so-called chamfering), and a notch portion 48 is formed as a first engagement portion. On the wall surface (inner peripheral surface) of the cylindrical portion 25 of the node ring 20, an engagement convex portion 49 as a second engagement portion that engages with the notch portion 48 is formed on a flat surface.
According to the present embodiment, the cutout portion 48 can be easily formed by chamfering the central portion of the close-wound coil spring, so that the first engagement portion 42 can be easily formed. is there.
Further, according to the notch 48, the first engagement portion 42 does not protrude toward the center side of the node ring 20 with respect to the guide portion 41, so that the built-in object stored in the node ring 20 (curved portion 14) There is an advantage that storage space is not sacrificed.
　第二ないし第四実施形態のコイルばね製ワイヤガイド４０Ａ、４０Ｂ、４０Ｃは、第一実施形態のコイルばね製ワイヤガイド４０と同様に、固定部Ｐによって節輪２０の円筒部２５の内周面に固定される。 The coil spring wire guides 40A, 40B, 40C of the second to fourth embodiments are similar to the coil spring wire guide 40 of the first embodiment, and the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 25 of the node ring 20 by the fixing portion P. Fixed to.
　なお、本発明は前記実施の形態に限定されるものではなく、その要旨を逸脱しない範囲で種々に変更が可能であることはいうまでもない。 In addition, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, It cannot be overemphasized that it can change variously in the range which does not deviate from the summary.
　図２に示した節輪２０の形状および前後の節輪の結合（枢着）構造は、一例を示すに過ぎない。本発明は、節輪の形状および前後の節輪の結合（枢着）構造によらず、適用することができる。 2 is merely an example of the shape of the node ring 20 and the coupling (pivoting) structure of the front and rear node rings. The present invention can be applied regardless of the shape of the node ring and the joint (pivot) structure of the front and rear node rings.
　ガイド部４１を構成するコイルばねの定径コイル部分の「定径」は、ミクロな意味での「定径」を意味しない。マクロに見て「定径」すなわち操作ワイヤ３２を円滑に相対的に摺動させることができる径であればよい。
　つまり、コイルばねは、円筒形状のコイルばねに限らず、非円筒形状（ビア樽形状、鼓形状）等であってもよい。
　また、コイルばねは、圧縮コイルばねに限らず、引張コイルばね、捩じりコイルばね等であってもよい。 The “constant diameter” of the constant diameter coil portion of the coil spring constituting the guide portion 41 does not mean “constant diameter” in a microscopic sense. The diameter may be a “constant diameter”, that is, a diameter that allows the operation wire 32 to slide smoothly and relatively.
That is, the coil spring is not limited to a cylindrical coil spring, and may be a non-cylindrical shape (via barrel shape, drum shape) or the like.
The coil spring is not limited to a compression coil spring, and may be a tension coil spring, a torsion coil spring, or the like.
　第一係合部４２はガイド部４１の中央部に設けるに限らず、ガイド部４１の端部に設けてもよいし、一箇所に設けるに限らず、複数箇所に設けてもよい。 The first engaging portion 42 is not limited to being provided at the central portion of the guide portion 41, but may be provided at the end portion of the guide portion 41, not limited to being provided at one location, and may be provided at a plurality of locations.
　第二係合部は貫通孔に形成するに限らず、非貫通穴（所謂盲穴）、窪み、溝および凹部等に形成してもよい。 The second engagement portion is not limited to being formed in the through hole, but may be formed in a non-through hole (so-called blind hole), a depression, a groove, a recess, or the like.
　コイルばね製ワイヤガイド４０、４０Ａ、４０Ｂ、４０Ｃと節輪２０の円筒部２５との固定手段すなわち第一係合部４２、４４、４８と第二係合部４３、４５、４９とを固定する固定部Ｐは、ロウ付けによって形成するに限らず、軟ロウ（４５０℃未満の低い融点を有するロウ接用溶加材。半田ともいう）を使用する半田付け（soldering ）、熱もしくは圧力またはその両者によって二つの部材を結合する溶接（welding ）、接着剤によって化学的もしくは物理的な力またはその両者によって二つの面を結合する接着（adhesion）等の固定手段を使用することができる。 Fixing means for the coil spring wire guides 40, 40A, 40B, 40C and the cylindrical portion 25 of the node ring 20, that is, the first engaging portions 42, 44, 48 and the second engaging portions 43, 45, 49 are fixed. The fixing portion P is not limited to being formed by brazing, but soldering (soldering iron) using soft brazing (a soldering filler material having a low melting point of less than 450 ° C., also referred to as solder), heat or pressure, or its It is possible to use fixing means such as welding that joins two members by both of them, adhesion or the like that joins two surfaces by chemical or physical force by an adhesive, or both.
　以上の実施形態においては、医療用内視鏡に適用した場合について説明したが、本発明はこれに限らず、工業用内視鏡等の内視鏡湾曲部構造全般に適用することができる。 In the above embodiment, the case where the present invention is applied to a medical endoscope has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and can be applied to general endoscope bending portion structures such as industrial endoscopes.
　本発明の内視鏡湾曲部構造は、医療用内視鏡または工業用内視鏡のような内視鏡全般にに広く用いることができる。 The endoscope bending portion structure of the present invention can be widely used for all endoscopes such as medical endoscopes or industrial endoscopes.

Claims (8)

  1. 　筒状の節輪が筒心軸方向に複数並べられてそれぞれ回動自在に連結され、前記節輪の内周面に配置されたワイヤガイドに操作ワイヤが挿通される内視鏡湾曲部構造であって、
    　前記ワイヤガイドは、前記操作ワイヤを案内するガイド部およびワイヤガイド側係合部を有するコイルばね、によって構成されており、
    　前記節輪には前記ワイヤガイド側係合部に係合される節輪側係合部が形成されており、　前記ワイヤガイドは前記ワイヤガイド側係合部と前記節輪側係合部との間に形成された固定部によって前記節輪に固定されている、ことを特徴とする内視鏡湾曲部構造。     An endoscope bending portion structure in which a plurality of cylindrical node rings are arranged in the axial direction of the cylinder and are rotatably connected to each other, and an operation wire is inserted through a wire guide disposed on the inner peripheral surface of the node ring. There,
    The wire guide is constituted by a coil spring having a guide portion for guiding the operation wire and a wire guide side engagement portion,
    The node ring is formed with a node ring side engaging portion that is engaged with the wire guide side engaging portion, and the wire guide includes a wire guide side engaging portion and a node ring side engaging portion. An endoscope bending portion structure characterized by being fixed to the node ring by a fixing portion formed therebetween.
  2. 　前記ワイヤガイドは密着巻コイルばねによって構成されている、ことを特徴とする請求項１に記載の内視鏡湾曲部構造。 2. The endoscope bending portion structure according to claim 1, wherein the wire guide is constituted by a close-wound coil spring.
  3. 　前記ワイヤガイド側係合部は外径が前記コイルばねの前記ガイド部外径よりも大径に形成されており、前記節輪側係合部は前記ワイヤガイド側係合部の一部を係合する貫通孔に形成されている、ことを特徴とする請求項１または２に記載の内視鏡湾曲部構造。 The wire guide side engaging portion has an outer diameter larger than the guide portion outer diameter of the coil spring, and the node ring side engaging portion engages a part of the wire guide side engaging portion. The endoscope bending portion structure according to claim 1, wherein the endoscope bending portion structure is formed in a matching through hole.
  4. 　前記ワイヤガイド側係合部は前記ガイド部に対して偏心されている、ことを特徴とする請求項３に記載の内視鏡湾曲部構造。 The endoscope bending portion structure according to claim 3, wherein the wire guide side engaging portion is eccentric with respect to the guide portion.
  5. 　前記ワイヤガイド側係合部と前記ガイド部とは、前記節輪の中心側端部が同一の接線平面に接触するように偏心されている、ことを特徴とする請求項４に記載の内視鏡湾曲部構造。 5. The internal view according to claim 4, wherein the wire guide side engaging portion and the guide portion are eccentric so that the center side end portion of the node ring contacts the same tangential plane. Mirror bending part structure.
  6. 　前記ワイヤガイド側係合部は前記ガイド部の一端部または両端部が径方向外方に突出さされ、前記節輪側係合部に挿入されている、ことを特徴とする請求項１または２に記載の内視鏡湾曲部構造。 3. The wire guide side engaging portion is characterized in that one end portion or both end portions of the guide portion protrude radially outward and are inserted into the node ring side engaging portion. The endoscope bending portion structure described in 1.
  7. 　前記ワイヤガイド側係合部は前記ガイド部の一部が切り欠かれた切欠部によっ形成されており、前記節輪側係合部は前記切欠部に係合するように形成されている、ことを特徴とする請求項１または２に記載の内視鏡湾曲部構造。 The wire guide side engaging portion is formed by a notched portion in which a part of the guide portion is cut out, and the node ring side engaging portion is formed to engage with the notched portion. The endoscope bending portion structure according to claim 1, wherein the endoscope bending portion structure is provided.
  8. 　前記ワイヤガイド側係合部と前記節輪側係合部とはロウ付けによって固定されている、ことを特徴とする請求項１ないし７のいずれか１項に記載の内視鏡湾曲部構造。 The endoscope bending portion structure according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the wire guide side engaging portion and the node ring side engaging portion are fixed by brazing.
PCT/JP2012/070489 2012-08-10 2012-08-10 Structure for endoscope bendable part WO2014024302A1 (en)

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WO2021181705A1 (en) * 2020-03-13 2021-09-16 オリンパス株式会社 Endoscope
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JP2016144574A (en) * 2015-02-09 2016-08-12 富士フイルム株式会社 Bending portion for endoscope and endoscope
CN105852781A (en) * 2015-02-09 2016-08-17 富士胶片株式会社 Bending portion for endoscope and endoscope
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WO2021181705A1 (en) * 2020-03-13 2021-09-16 オリンパス株式会社 Endoscope
WO2022003889A1 (en) * 2020-07-02 2022-01-06 オリンパス株式会社 Endoscope bending tube, endoscope, and method for manufacturing endoscope bending tube

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