JP3903737B2

JP3903737B2 - Endoscope insertion part

Info

Publication number: JP3903737B2
Application number: JP2001152584A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 壮太平野
Original assignee: Fujinon Corp
Current assignee: Fujinon Corp
Priority date: 2001-05-22
Filing date: 2001-05-22
Publication date: 2007-04-11
Anticipated expiration: 2021-05-22
Also published as: JP2002345736A

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は医療用等として用いられる内視鏡の挿入部に関するものであり、特に細径に形成した挿入部に関するものである。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
医療用等として用いられる内視鏡は、本体操作部に体腔内等への挿入部を連設し、また本体操作部から少なくとも光源装置に接続されるユニバーサルコードにより構成されるものである。内視鏡の挿入部は、先端側から、先端硬質部、アングル部及び軟性部で構成されるが、先端硬質部には少なくとも照明手段と観察手段とが設けられる。また、これらに加えて、鉗子その他の処置具を挿通するための処置具挿通チャンネル等も設けられる。
【０００３】
照明手段は、ライトガイドと、このライトガイドの出射端に臨むように配置した照明用レンズとを含むものである。照明用レンズは照明用レンズ鏡胴内に装着され、またライトガイドの出射側は所定の長さだけこの照明用レンズ鏡胴内に挿入されている。観察手段は、対物光学系を有し、この対物光学系の結像位置にはＣＣＤ等の固体撮像素子が配置されるか、またはイメージガイドの入射端が臨むようになっている。対物光学系は少なくとも対物レンズを含む光学素子が対物レンズ鏡胴内に装着される。固体撮像素子は対物レンズ鏡胴に固定され、またイメージガイドを用いる場合には、その入射側における所定の長さ分が対物レンズ鏡胴に挿入される。さらに、処置具挿通チャンネルは軟性のチューブからなり、その先端には硬質の処置具挿通パイプに嵌合されている。
【０００４】
そして、先端硬質部には前述した照明手段，観察手段及び処置具挿通チャンネルを接続するための貫通孔が設けられ、照明用レンズ鏡胴，対物レンズ鏡胴及び処置具挿通パイプがこれらの貫通孔に挿通される。このように、照明用レンズ鏡胴，対物レンズ鏡胴及び処置具挿通パイプは先端硬質部に設けた貫通孔に固定するが、固定方式としては、まず接着剤等を用いて固着する方式がある。また、少なくとも対物レンズ鏡胴については先端硬質部の側面に止めねじを螺挿してこの止めねじを対物レンズ鏡胴の外周面に押し付けることによって固定する方式が一般的に採用される。
【０００５】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
前述した照明用レンズ鏡胴，対物レンズ鏡胴及び処置具挿通パイプの固定方式のうち、接着剤等で直接固着する方式にあっては、これら各部材を組み付けた後に容易に分解できなくなるために、それらの修理や交換が極めて面倒になったり、部分的な修理を行えない場合もある等といった問題点がある。対物レンズ鏡胴を止めねじで固定する構成としているのは、観察手段の修理や部品交換等を容易にするためである。従って、止めねじを脱着することにより対物レンズ鏡胴は先端硬質部から容易に脱着できるが、このタイプの固定する方式では、止めねじを装着する分だけ先端硬質部の外径が太くなってしまうという問題点がある。特に、細い体腔管内等に挿入するために、挿入部の外径寸法を極めて細くしなければならない場合には、各部材の固定を止めねじで行うのは実質的に不可能な場合もある。
【０００６】
本発明は以上の点に鑑みてなされたものであって、その目的とするところは、挿入部における先端硬質部を格別太径化させることなく、挿入部に装着される各部材を容易に着脱できるようにして先端硬質部に固定することにある。
【０００７】
【課題を解決するための手段】
前述した目的を達成するために、本発明は、アングル部に連結した先端硬質部に少なくとも照明手段及び観察手段を装着し、照明手段は照明用レンズ鏡胴内に装着した照明用レンズにライトガイドの出射端を臨ませたものであり、また観察手段は少なくとも対物レンズ鏡胴内に対物光学系を設けたものから構成される内視鏡の挿入部であって、前記先端硬質部は、少なくとも前記照明用レンズ鏡胴及び対物レンズ鏡胴からなる内視鏡内挿通部材を挿通させる貫通孔を形成した先端部本体と、この先端部本体が所定の長さにわたって嵌合される先端筒部とから構成され、前記各内視鏡内挿通部材の外周面には、それぞれ位置決め突起が設けられ、前記先端筒部には、前記各位置決め突起が実質的に密嵌状に係止される係止孔が形成され、前記先端部本体の外周面に円環状のフランジ部と円環状突条とを設けて、これらフランジ部と円環状突条との間に凹部が形成され、前記先端筒部の端面は前記先端部本体の前記円環状突条に突き当てられ、前記先端部本体は前記先端筒部に対して前記各係止孔の形成位置より先端側に配置され、前記アングル部の外皮層の先端を前記先端部本体の前記凹部内に延在させて、この凹部内で固定させる構成としたことをその特徴とするものである。
【０００８】
先端硬質部には、さらに処置具の通路を開口させて設ける構成とするのが望ましい。この場合には、挿入部内に設けた処置具挿通チャンネルの先端に処置具挿通パイプを連結するようになし、この処置具挿通パイプを先端部本体に装着するために、先端部本体には、概略１２０°毎に３箇所の貫通孔を形成する。そして、他の内視鏡内挿通部材として、照明用レンズ鏡胴，対物レンズ鏡胴及び処置具挿通パイプを挿通するようになし、かつ先端筒部に３箇所の係止孔を設けて、これら各部材にはそれぞれ係止孔に係止される位置決め突起を設ける構成とする。
【０００９】
【発明の実施の形態】
以下、図面に基づいて本発明の実施の形態を説明する。而して、図１に内視鏡の全体構成を示す。同図において、１は本体操作部、２は挿入部、３はユニバーサルコードである。挿入部２は先端側から先端硬質部２ａ，アングル部２ｂ及び軟性部２ｃから構成されている。軟性部２ｃは挿入部２における大半の長さを構成するものであり、体腔内等への挿入経路に沿って任意の方向に曲がる軟性構造のものである。また、アングル部２ｂは、本体操作部１に設けたアングル操作手段４を操作することによって、遠隔操作で湾曲させるためのものであって、これによって先端硬質部２ａを所望の方向に向けることができるようになっている。そして、先端硬質部２ａには、図２に示したように、照明手段１０，観察手段２０及び処置具ガイド手段３０が設けられている。なお、内視鏡は、最低限、照明手段１０と観察手段２０とを備えておれば良く、処置具ガイド手段３０は必ずしも設ける必要はなく、また前述した各部材に加えて、観察手段２０を洗浄するための送気送液管等を設けることもできる。
【００１０】
次に、内視鏡に設けられる照明手段１０，観察手段２０及び処置具ガイド手段３０の具体的な構成を図３に示す。なお、以下の説明においては、これら照明手段１０，観察手段２０及び処置具ガイド手段３０を総称する際には、内視鏡内挿通部材という。
【００１１】
照明手段１０は、照明光の伝送手段として、光ファイババンドルからなるライトガイド１１と、このライトガイド１１の出射端面１１ａに対面するように配置した照明用レンズ１２（発散レンズ）とを有し、この照明用レンズ１２は照明用レンズ鏡胴１３の先端部に嵌合されている。また、ライトガイド１１の出射端面１１ａもこの照明用レンズ鏡胴１３内に挿入されている。そして、ライトガイド１１は、挿入部２から本体操作部１を経てユニバーサルコード３内に延在されており、このユニバーサルコード３の先端に設けたコネクタを光源装置（図示せず）に接続することによって、照明光を伝送できるように構成されている。
【００１２】
観察手段２０は対物光学系２１を備え、この対物光学系２１の光路の途中にプリズム２１ａを設けて、このプリズム２１ａにより光路を９０°曲げた上で、その結像位置に固体撮像素子２２が配置される。固体撮像素子２２は基板２３に搭載されている。対物光学系２１は対物レンズ鏡胴２４内に装着されており、また固体撮像素子２２は、例えばプリズム２１ａに固着して設けられる。そして、この固体撮像素子２２を搭載した基板２３からはケーブル２５が引き出されており、このケーブル２５はライトガイド１１と同様、本体操作部１からユニバーサルコード３内に挿通されて、プロセッサ（図示せず）に着脱可能に接続される。なお、観察手段２０としては、固体撮像素子２２に代えて、イメージガイドを用いることもできる。この場合には、本体操作部１に接眼部を装着して、イメージガイドの入射端を対物光学系２１の結像位置に配置すると共に、その出射端を接眼レンズを装着した接眼部に臨ませるように構成する。
【００１３】
さらに、処置具ガイド手段３０は、鉗子や高周波処置具等の処置具を内視鏡をガイド手段として体腔内に挿入して、患部の治療等、適宜の処置を施すためのものである。処置具ガイド手段３０は、曲げ方向に可撓性を有するチューブ材からなる処置具挿通チャンネル３１の先端を、金属等の硬質パイプからなる処置具挿通パイプ３２を嵌合・固定することにより構成される。そして、処置具挿通チャンネル２１は本体操作部１の挿入部２への連設部近傍にまで延在されて、この位置に設けた処置具導入部５に接続される。
【００１４】
以上の構成を有する照明手段１０，観察手段２０及び処置具ガイド手段３０からなる各内視鏡内挿通部材の先端部分、つまり照明用レンズ鏡胴１３，対物レンズ鏡胴２４及び処置具挿通パイプ３２が先端硬質部２ａに固定される。そこで、図４乃至図６に、この先端硬質部２ａの構造及びアングル部２ｂへの連結構造を示す。
【００１５】
図４等から明らかなように、先端硬質部２ａは、共に金属，硬質プラスチック等の硬質部材からなる先端筒部４０と、先端部本体４１とから構成される。先端筒部４０は、所定長さを有する円筒形の部材からなり、図５に示したように、アングル部２ｂを構成する最先端のアングルリング７に２箇所設けた止着ピン８により連結される。先端部本体４１は先端筒部４０の先端側から所定の長さだけ挿嵌され、もって先端硬質部２ａが形成される。先端部本体４１には、軸線方向に貫通するように、３箇所の貫通孔４２ａ〜４２ｃが穿設されており、内視鏡内挿通部材を構成する照明用レンズ鏡胴１３，対物レンズ鏡胴２４及び処置具挿通パイプ３２は、これら各貫通孔４２ａ〜４２ｃ内に挿通され、これら内視鏡内挿通部材の先端は先端部本体４１の先端面とほぼ同じ位置に配置されている。先端筒部４０と先端部本体４１との嵌合部、及び照明用レンズ鏡胴１３，対物レンズ鏡胴２４及び処置具挿通パイプ３２の装着部は、接着剤や止めねじ等を用いず、しかも固定的に保持されるようになっている。
【００１６】
このために、内視鏡内挿通部材には、それぞれ外周面に所定の厚みを有し、図６から明らかなように、先端筒部４０の内面とほぼ一致する曲率をもった円弧状のスペーサ４３ａ〜４３ｃが設けられており、これらスペーサ４３ａ〜４３ｃの表面から位置決め突起４４ａ〜４４ｃを突出するように設けられている。一方、先端筒部４０には、各位置決め突起４４ａ〜４４ｃが実質的に密嵌状態に嵌合される係止孔４５ａ〜４５ｃが穿設されている。従って、各内視鏡内挿通部材は、それぞれ位置決め突起４４ａ〜４４ｃを先端筒部４０に穿設した係止孔４５ａ〜４５ｃに嵌合させ、かつスペーサ４３ａ〜４３ｃの表面を先端筒部４０の内面に当接させるように組み込まれる。これら各内視鏡内挿通部材は先端筒部４０の先端部から所定の長さ突出している。そして、先端筒部４０に係止された各内視鏡内挿通部材の先端側における所定長さ分は先端部本体４１の貫通孔４２ａ〜４２ｃ内に挿入され、かつ先端部本体４１が先端筒部４０内の所定の位置まで挿入される。
【００１７】
内視鏡内挿通部材を構成する照明用レンズ鏡胴１３，対物レンズ鏡胴２４及び処置具挿通パイプ３２は先端硬質部２ａに固定的に保持される。これらに設けた位置決め突起４４ａ〜４４ｃが先端筒部４０の係止孔４５ａ〜４５ｃに実質的に密嵌状態に嵌合され、かつ先端部本体４１の貫通孔４２ａ〜４２ｃ内に挿通されているので、これら各内視鏡内挿通部材は先端硬質部２ａに完全に固定される。先端部本体４１は、先端筒部４０の先端側から先端筒部４０における係止孔４５ａ〜４５ｃの手前位置にまで挿嵌されている。先端部本体４１は先端筒部４０に嵌合された状態で、軸線方向にみだりに動かないように固定されなければならない。先端部本体４１を先端筒部４０にほぼ密嵌状に嵌合させるために、先端部本体４１の外径と先端筒部４０の内径とはほぼ一致する寸法としている。
【００１８】
まず、先端部本体４１における先端近傍の外周面に円環状突条４６が設けられている。この円環状突条４６の高さは先端筒部４０の厚み寸法と同じか、またはそれより小さい寸法となっている。そして、先端部本体４１の円環状突条４６が先端筒部４０に当接した時に、この先端部本体４１の嵌合部の端部は係止孔４５ａ〜４５ｃの開設位置の手前に位置するように設定している。つまり、円環状突条４６は、先端部本体４１の先端筒部４０への嵌合長が係止孔４５ａ〜４５ｃと干渉しない位置となるように保持するストッパとして機能する。また、先端部本体４１の先端外周面には円環状のフランジ部４７が形成されている。従って、円環状突条４６とフランジ部４７との間には円環状の凹部４８が形成される。アングル部２ｂの外皮層６は、その先端がこの凹部４８内にまで延在されている。そして、フランジ部４７は、先端筒部４０の外面より高く、しかも外皮層６の外面と同じか、それより低い位置まで延在されている。外皮層６の先端部外周面には糸巻き４９が行われるようになっており、弾性部材からなる外皮層６はこの糸巻き４９により凹部４８内で圧縮される。さらに、この糸巻き４９の部分を固定するために、凹部４８内には接着剤５０が充填される。その結果、先端部本体４１が先端筒部４０から先端側に逸脱しないように保持される。その結果、先端部本体４１と先端筒部４０とは固定関係となるように組み込まれる。
【００１９】
以上のように構成することによって、内視鏡の挿入部２には照明手段１０，観察手段２０及び処置具ガイド手段３０が安定した状態に組み込まれる。この挿入部２を体腔内に挿入して、照明手段１０から照射される照明光の照射下で観察手段２０を介して体腔内の状態を観察できる。また、観察手段２０による観察の結果、患部が発見された時等には、処置具ガイド手段３０内に鉗子その他の処置具を挿通させることにより、患部の摘出や、細胞の採取等といった適宜の処置を行うことができる。
【００２０】
照明手段１０，観察手段２０及び処置具ガイド手段３０は、挿入部２に着脱可能となる。まず、挿入部２を構成する先端硬質部２ａのうち、先端筒部４０はアングル部２ｂにおける最先端のアングルリング７に止着ピン８により連結した状態に保持されている。そして、内視鏡内挿通部材を組み込むに当っては、先端部本体４１はこの先端筒部４０から脱着しておく。この状態で、挿入部２の基端側から照明手段１０，観察手段２０及び処置具ガイド手段３０を挿入して、照明用レンズ鏡胴１３，対物レンズ鏡胴２４及び処置具挿通パイプ３２を先端筒部４０内に導く。そして、照明用レンズ鏡胴１３の外面に設けた位置決め突起４４ａを先端筒部４０の係止孔４５ａに、また対物レンズ鏡筒２４の外面に設けた位置決め突起４４ｂを係止孔４５ｂに、さらに処置具挿通パイプ３２の外面に設けた位置決め突起４４ｃを係止孔４５ｃにそれぞれ係止させ、スペーサ４３ａ〜４３ｃを先端筒部４０の内面に当接させる。ここで、位置決め突起４４ａ〜４４ｃは係止孔４５ａ〜４５ｃに対して実質的に密嵌状態に嵌合されるので、これら照明用レンズ鏡胴１３，対物レンズ鏡胴２４及び処置具挿通パイプ３２は先端筒部４０に保持される。つまり、スナップアクション作用と実質的に同じ作用によりこれらは先端筒部４０に係止される。
【００２１】
先端筒部４０の係止孔４５ａ〜４５ｃは円周方向に位置を変えて設けられている。本実施の形態では、これらは等しい角度毎、つまり１２０°毎に形成し、各係止孔４５ａ〜４５ｃの大きさを同じしている。しかしながら、これらの係止孔４５ａ〜４５ｃの配置関係若しくは大きさを変えても良い。係止孔４５ａ〜４５ｃの大きさを変え、またそれらに係止される位置決め突起４４ａ〜４４ｃの大きさも変えるようにすれば、照明用レンズ鏡胴１３，対物レンズ鏡胴２４及び処置具挿通パイプ３２は必ず所定の位置関係となるように装着できる。また、係止孔４５ａ〜４５ｃの円周方向の位置関係も、必ずしも等間隔ではなく、例えば照明用レンズ鏡胴１３の係止孔４５ａと対物レンズ鏡胴２４の係止孔４５ｂとを接近させることもできる。
【００２２】
照明用レンズ鏡胴１３，対物レンズ鏡胴２４及び処置具挿通パイプ３２からなる内視鏡内挿通部材は先端筒部４０から所定の長さだけ突出している。そこで、先端筒部４０の先端側から先端部本体４１を嵌合させる。この時に、前述した各内視鏡内挿通部材は、先端部本体４１に設けた貫通孔４２ａ〜４２ｃに挿入されることになる。ここで、貫通孔４２ａ〜４２ｃから先端部本体４１の外周面までは所定の厚みがあるが、照明用レンズ鏡胴１３，対物レンズ鏡胴２４及び処置具挿通パイプ３２にはそれぞれスペーサ４３ａ〜４３ｃが設けられているので、これらは先端筒部４０の内面からスペーサ４３ａ〜４３ｃの厚み分だけ離間しており、このスペーサ４３ａ〜４３ｃの厚みと貫通孔４２ａ〜４２ｃから先端部本体４１の外周面までは所定の厚みとを一致させておくことによって、先端部本体４１の貫通孔４２ａ〜４２ｃ内に挿入されることになる。なお、本実施の形態においては、照明用レンズ鏡胴１３，対物レンズ鏡胴２４及び処置具挿通パイプ３２と、これらが挿通される先端部本体４１の貫通孔４２ａ〜４２ｃとを実質的に同じ寸法にしているが、それぞれの寸法関係は必ずしも同じにする必要はなく、例えば処置具挿通パイプ３２及びそれが挿通される貫通孔４２ｃを他より大きくすることもできる。
【００２３】
先端部本体４１の外周面に設けた円環状突条４６が先端筒部４０に当接する位置にまで挿入される。この状態で、アングル部２ｂの外皮層６を先端部本体４１に形成した凹部４８の位置にまで引き出す。そして、糸巻き４９及び接着剤５０の充填により先端部本体４１は先端筒部４０に嵌合した状態で固定される。これによって、照明用レンズ鏡胴１３，対物レンズ鏡胴２４及び処置具挿通パイプ３２からなる内視鏡内挿通部材は先端硬質部２ａに対して、止めねじ等の固定手段を用いることなく固定できる。その結果、この先端硬質部２ａの細径化が図られる。
【００２４】
挿入部２の内部は気密状態に保持しなければならない。先端筒部４０には、係止孔４４ａ〜４４ｃが設けられているが、この係止孔４４ａ〜４４ｃは最終的には外皮層６で覆われて閉塞状態となる。また、先端部本体４１は先端筒部４０に挿嵌されているが、この挿嵌部も外皮層６で覆われており、しかも外皮層６と先端部本体４１との間には接着剤５０が充填されている。従って、この接着剤５０にシールを発揮させるようになし、しかも全周にわたって完全に覆うようにすることにより、気密を確保される。さらに、先端部本体４１には照明用レンズ鏡胴１３，対物レンズ鏡胴２４及び処置具挿通パイプ３２を挿通させた貫通孔４２ａ〜４２ｃが設けられているが、その間には接着機能を有しないシール材を充填することにより密閉することができる。ここで、貫通孔４２ａ〜４２ｃの開口径と各内視鏡内挿通部材の外径との寸法差をできるだけ小さくすることにより、少量のシール材を充填するだけで、完全に気密構造とすることができる。
【００２５】
しかも、照明手段１０，観察手段２０及び処置具ガイド手段３０は、挿入部２に対して容易に着脱できる。即ち、先端部本体４１の凹部４８内において、外皮層６の先端部を固定している接着剤５０を剥すと共に、糸巻き４９を取り外す。これによって、外皮層６は先端部本体４１から分離される。そうすると、先端部本体４１の先端筒部４０の先端側への抜け出しを規制するものはなくなる。従って、先端部本体４１を引き出すことにより先端筒部４０から脱着できる。しかも、先端部本体４１の凹部４８は先端筒部４０の先端面より突出しているので、手で容易に引き出すことができる。また、照明用レンズ鏡胴１３，対物レンズ鏡胴２４及び処置具挿通パイプ３２は、それらに設けた位置決め突起４４ａ〜４４ｃが先端筒部４０の係止孔４５ａ〜４５ｃに係止されているに過ぎないので、係止孔４５ａ〜４５ｃの外面側から治具を挿入する等、外力を加えると、これら照明用レンズ鏡胴１３，対物レンズ鏡胴２４及び処置具挿通パイプ３２は先端筒部４０及び先端部本体４１からなる先端硬質部２ａから分離される。
【００２６】
従って、この状態で、照明手段１０，観察手段２０若しくは処置具ガイド手段３０を構成する各部の点検や修理等の作業を容易に行うことができる。そして、作業を終了した後の再組み付けは、前述した通りに行えば良い。
【００２７】
【発明の効果】
本発明は以上のように、先端硬質部を先端筒部と、少なくとも照明用レンズ鏡胴及び対物レンズ鏡胴を挿通させる貫通孔を形成した先端部本体とから構成し、照明用レンズ鏡胴及び対物レンズ鏡胴を先端筒部に着脱可能に係止させて、アングル部の外皮層を先端部本体に固定する構成としたので、挿入部における先端硬質部を格別太径化させることなく、挿入部に装着される各部材を容易に着脱できるようにして先端硬質部に固定できる等の効果を奏する。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】内視鏡の外観図である。
【図２】挿入部の先端部分の正面図である。
【図３】内視鏡内挿通部材を構成する照明手段，観察手段及び処置具ガイド手段の要部断面図である。
【図４】各内視鏡内挿通部材と共に示す先端構成部の分解斜視図である。
【図５】図２のＡ−Ａ断面図である。
【図６】図５のＢ−Ｂ断面図である。
【符号の説明】
１本体操作部２挿入部
２ａ先端硬質部２ｂアングル部
２ｃ軟性部１０照明手段
１１ライトガイド１２照明用レンズ
１３照明用レンズ鏡胴２０観察手段
２１対物光学系２２固体撮像素子
２４対物レンズ鏡胴３０処置具ガイド手段
３１処置具挿通チャンネル３２処置具挿通パイプ
４０先端筒部４１先端部本体
４２ａ〜４２ｃ貫通孔４４ａ〜４４ｃ位置決め突起
４５ａ〜４５ｃ係止孔４６円環状突条
４７フランジ部４８凹部
４９糸巻き５０接着剤[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an insertion portion of an endoscope used for medical purposes, and particularly relates to an insertion portion formed in a small diameter.
[0002]
[Prior art]
An endoscope used for medical purposes or the like is configured by a universal cord connected to a main body operation unit with an insertion unit into a body cavity or the like, and connected to at least a light source device from the main body operation unit. The insertion portion of the endoscope is composed of a hard tip portion, an angle portion, and a soft portion from the distal end side, and at least the illumination means and the observation means are provided on the hard tip portion. In addition to these, a treatment instrument insertion channel for inserting forceps and other treatment instruments is also provided.
[0003]
The illumination means includes a light guide and an illumination lens arranged so as to face the emission end of the light guide. The illumination lens is mounted in the illumination lens barrel, and the exit side of the light guide is inserted into the illumination lens barrel by a predetermined length. The observation means has an objective optical system, and a solid-state imaging device such as a CCD is disposed at the image forming position of the objective optical system, or the incident end of the image guide faces. In the objective optical system, an optical element including at least an objective lens is mounted in the objective lens barrel. The solid-state imaging device is fixed to the objective lens barrel, and when an image guide is used, a predetermined length on the incident side is inserted into the objective lens barrel. Further, the treatment instrument insertion channel is made of a soft tube, and a distal end of the treatment instrument insertion channel is fitted to a hard treatment instrument insertion pipe.
[0004]
The hard end portion is provided with through holes for connecting the illumination means, the observation means, and the treatment instrument insertion channel, and the illumination lens barrel, the objective lens barrel, and the treatment instrument insertion pipe are formed in these through holes. Is inserted. As described above, the illumination lens barrel, the objective lens barrel, and the treatment instrument insertion pipe are fixed to the through hole provided in the distal end hard portion. As a fixing method, there is a method of fixing first using an adhesive or the like. . At least the objective lens barrel is generally fixed by screwing a set screw into the side surface of the hard tip portion and pressing the set screw against the outer peripheral surface of the objective lens barrel.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
Among the methods for fixing the illumination lens barrel, objective lens barrel, and treatment instrument insertion pipe described above, in the method of directly fixing with an adhesive or the like, it becomes impossible to disassemble easily after assembling these members. However, there are problems such as that the repair and replacement are extremely troublesome and partial repair may not be possible. The reason why the objective lens barrel is fixed with a set screw is to facilitate the repair of the observation means and the replacement of parts. Therefore, the objective lens barrel can be easily detached from the distal end hard portion by detaching the set screw. However, in this type of fixing method, the outer diameter of the distal end hard portion becomes thicker as the set screw is attached. There is a problem. In particular, when the outer diameter of the insertion portion has to be extremely thin for insertion into a thin body cavity tube or the like, it may be substantially impossible to fix each member with a set screw.
[0006]
The present invention has been made in view of the above points. The object of the present invention is to easily attach and detach each member attached to the insertion portion without making the distal end hard portion of the insertion portion have a particularly large diameter. It is to fix to the tip hard part as possible.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above-described object, the present invention attaches at least an illuminating means and an observing means to a hard tip portion connected to an angle portion, and the illuminating means is a light guide to an illuminating lens mounted in an illuminating lens barrel. And the observation means is an insertion portion of an endoscope composed of at least an objective lens barrel provided with an objective optical system, and the distal end hard portion is at least A distal end main body in which a through hole for inserting an endoscope insertion member including the illumination lens barrel and the objective lens barrel is formed, and a distal end tubular portion into which the distal end main body is fitted over a predetermined length; A positioning projection is provided on the outer peripheral surface of each endoscope insertion member, and the positioning projection is locked to the distal end tube portion in a substantially close fitting manner. A hole is formed and said tip An annular flange portion and an annular ridge are provided on the outer peripheral surface of the portion main body, and a recess is formed between the flange portion and the annular ridge, and the end surface of the distal end tubular portion is The tip body is abutted against the annular ridge, the tip body is disposed on the tip side with respect to the tip tube portion from the formation position of each locking hole, and the tip of the outer skin layer of the angle portion is the tip body. This is characterized in that it is configured to extend into the recess and to be fixed in the recess .
[0008]
It is desirable that the distal end hard portion is further provided with an opening for the passage of the treatment instrument. In this case, the treatment instrument insertion pipe is connected to the distal end of the treatment instrument insertion channel provided in the insertion portion, and in order to attach the treatment instrument insertion pipe to the distal end portion body, Three through holes are formed every 120 ° . Further, as other endoscope insertion members, the illumination lens barrel, the objective lens barrel, and the treatment instrument insertion pipe are inserted, and three locking holes are provided in the distal end cylindrical portion. Each member is provided with a positioning projection that is locked in the locking hole.
[0009]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Thus, FIG. 1 shows the overall configuration of the endoscope. In the figure, 1 is a main body operation unit, 2 is an insertion unit, and 3 is a universal cord. The insertion portion 2 includes a distal end hard portion 2a, an angle portion 2b, and a flexible portion 2c from the distal end side. The flexible part 2c constitutes most of the length of the insertion part 2, and has a flexible structure that bends in any direction along the insertion path into the body cavity or the like. In addition, the angle portion 2b is for bending by remote operation by operating the angle operation means 4 provided in the main body operation portion 1, and thereby the distal end hard portion 2a can be directed in a desired direction. It can be done. As shown in FIG. 2, the distal end hard portion 2a is provided with illumination means 10, observation means 20, and treatment instrument guide means 30. The endoscope is required to include at least the illumination unit 10 and the observation unit 20, and the treatment instrument guide unit 30 is not necessarily provided. In addition to the above-described members, the endoscope includes the observation unit 20. It is also possible to provide an air / liquid feeding tube or the like for cleaning.
[0010]
Next, FIG. 3 shows specific configurations of the illumination unit 10, the observation unit 20, and the treatment instrument guide unit 30 provided in the endoscope. In the following description, the illumination unit 10, the observation unit 20, and the treatment instrument guide unit 30 are collectively referred to as an endoscope insertion member.
[0011]
The illumination means 10 includes a light guide 11 made of an optical fiber bundle as illumination light transmission means, and an illumination lens 12 (a diverging lens) arranged so as to face the emission end face 11a of the light guide 11, The illumination lens 12 is fitted to the tip of the illumination lens barrel 13. The exit end face 11 a of the light guide 11 is also inserted into the illumination lens barrel 13. And the light guide 11 is extended in the universal cord 3 from the insertion part 2 through the main body operation part 1, and connects the connector provided in the front-end | tip of this universal cord 3 to a light source device (not shown). Thus, the illumination light can be transmitted.
[0012]
The observation means 20 includes an objective optical system 21. A prism 21a is provided in the middle of the optical path of the objective optical system 21, and the optical path is bent by 90 ° by the prism 21a. Be placed. The solid-state image sensor 22 is mounted on the substrate 23. The objective optical system 21 is mounted in the objective lens barrel 24, and the solid-state image pickup device 22 is provided, for example, fixed to a prism 21a. A cable 25 is drawn from the board 23 on which the solid-state image pickup device 22 is mounted. Like the light guide 11, the cable 25 is inserted into the universal cord 3 from the main body operation unit 1 and is connected to a processor (not shown). ) Is detachably connected. In addition, as the observation means 20, it can replace with the solid-state image sensor 22, and can also use an image guide. In this case, an eyepiece is attached to the main body operation unit 1, the incident end of the image guide is disposed at the image forming position of the objective optical system 21, and the emission end thereof is attached to the eyepiece attached with the eyepiece. It is configured to face it.
[0013]
Further, the treatment instrument guide means 30 is for inserting a treatment instrument such as forceps or a high-frequency treatment instrument into a body cavity using an endoscope as a guide means and performing appropriate treatment such as treatment of an affected area. The treatment instrument guide means 30 is configured by fitting and fixing a distal end of a treatment instrument insertion channel 31 made of a tube material having flexibility in a bending direction to a treatment instrument insertion pipe 32 made of a hard pipe such as metal. The Then, the treatment instrument insertion channel 21 extends to the vicinity of the connection portion to the insertion section 2 of the main body operation section 1 and is connected to the treatment instrument introduction section 5 provided at this position.
[0014]
The distal end portion of each endoscope insertion member comprising the illumination means 10, the observation means 20 and the treatment instrument guide means 30 having the above configuration, that is, the illumination lens barrel 13, the objective lens barrel 24, and the treatment instrument insertion pipe 32. Is fixed to the distal end hard portion 2a. 4 to 6 show the structure of the hard tip portion 2a and the connection structure to the angle portion 2b.
[0015]
As is clear from FIG. 4 and the like, the distal end hard portion 2a is composed of a distal end cylindrical portion 40 made of a hard member such as metal or hard plastic, and a distal end portion main body 41. The tip tube portion 40 is formed of a cylindrical member having a predetermined length, and is connected by fastening pins 8 provided at two positions on the most advanced angle ring 7 constituting the angle portion 2b as shown in FIG. The The distal end main body 41 is inserted by a predetermined length from the distal end side of the distal end tubular portion 40, thereby forming the distal end rigid portion 2a. The distal end main body 41 is provided with three through holes 42a to 42c so as to penetrate in the axial direction, and the illumination lens barrel 13 and the objective lens barrel constituting the endoscope insertion member. 24 and the treatment instrument insertion pipe 32 are inserted into these through holes 42 a to 42 c, and the distal ends of these endoscope insertion members are arranged at substantially the same position as the distal end surface of the distal end portion body 41. The fitting portion between the distal end cylindrical portion 40 and the distal end portion main body 41 and the mounting portion of the illumination lens barrel 13, the objective lens barrel 24, and the treatment instrument insertion pipe 32 do not use an adhesive or a set screw. It is designed to be held fixed.
[0016]
For this reason, each of the endoscope insertion members has an arc-shaped spacer having a predetermined thickness on the outer peripheral surface and having a curvature that substantially matches the inner surface of the distal end tube portion 40, as is apparent from FIG. 43a to 43c are provided, and the positioning protrusions 44a to 44c are provided so as to protrude from the surfaces of the spacers 43a to 43c. On the other hand, the distal end cylinder portion 40 is provided with locking holes 45a to 45c into which the positioning protrusions 44a to 44c are fitted in a substantially close fitting state. Therefore, each endoscopic insertion member has the positioning projections 44 a to 44 c fitted in the locking holes 45 a to 45 c formed in the distal end cylindrical portion 40, and the surfaces of the spacers 43 a to 43 c are made to be on the distal end cylindrical portion 40. It is assembled so as to contact the inner surface. Each of these endoscope insertion members protrudes from the distal end portion of the distal end tubular portion 40 by a predetermined length. A predetermined length on the distal end side of each endoscope insertion member locked to the distal end tube portion 40 is inserted into the through holes 42a to 42c of the distal end portion main body 41, and the distal end portion body 41 is inserted into the distal end tube. It is inserted to a predetermined position in the part 40.
[0017]
The illumination lens barrel 13, the objective lens barrel 24, and the treatment instrument insertion pipe 32 constituting the endoscope insertion member are fixedly held by the distal end rigid portion 2a. Positioning protrusions 44a to 44c provided on these are fitted into the locking holes 45a to 45c of the distal end tube portion 40 in a substantially close-fitted state, and are inserted into the through holes 42a to 42c of the distal end portion body 41. Therefore, each of these endoscope insertion members is completely fixed to the distal end hard portion 2a. The distal end portion body 41 is inserted from the distal end side of the distal end tubular portion 40 to positions before the locking holes 45 a to 45 c in the distal end tubular portion 40. The distal end body 41 must be fixed so as not to move in the axial direction in a state where the distal end body 41 is fitted to the distal end tubular portion 40. In order to fit the tip portion main body 41 to the tip tube portion 40 in a close-fitting manner, the outer diameter of the tip portion main body 41 and the inner diameter of the tip tube portion 40 are substantially matched.
[0018]
First, an annular ridge 46 is provided on the outer peripheral surface in the vicinity of the tip of the tip body 41. The height of the annular ridge 46 is the same as or smaller than the thickness of the tip tube portion 40. When the annular ridge 46 of the tip body 41 contacts the tip tube 40, the end of the fitting portion of the tip body 41 is positioned before the opening positions of the locking holes 45a to 45c. It is set as follows. That is, the annular ridge 46 functions as a stopper that holds the fitting length of the tip portion main body 41 to the tip tube portion 40 so that it does not interfere with the locking holes 45a to 45c. Further, an annular flange portion 47 is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the distal end portion main body 41. Accordingly, an annular recess 48 is formed between the annular ridge 46 and the flange portion 47. The tip of the outer skin layer 6 of the angle portion 2 b extends into the recess 48. The flange portion 47 is higher than the outer surface of the tip tube portion 40 and extends to a position that is the same as or lower than the outer surface of the outer skin layer 6. A thread winding 49 is performed on the outer peripheral surface of the front end portion of the outer skin layer 6, and the outer skin layer 6 made of an elastic member is compressed in the recess 48 by the thread winding 49. Further, in order to fix the portion of the thread winding 49, the concave portion 48 is filled with an adhesive 50. As a result, the distal end portion body 41 is held so as not to deviate from the distal end tubular portion 40 toward the distal end side. As a result, the distal end portion main body 41 and the distal end tubular portion 40 are assembled so as to have a fixed relationship.
[0019]
By configuring as described above, the illumination unit 10, the observation unit 20, and the treatment instrument guide unit 30 are incorporated in a stable state in the insertion portion 2 of the endoscope. By inserting the insertion portion 2 into the body cavity, the state in the body cavity can be observed through the observation means 20 under irradiation of illumination light emitted from the illumination means 10. Further, when an affected part is discovered as a result of observation by the observation means 20, by inserting a forceps or other treatment tool into the treatment tool guide means 30, appropriate removal of the affected part, collection of cells, etc. Treatment can be performed.
[0020]
The illumination unit 10, the observation unit 20, and the treatment instrument guide unit 30 can be attached to and detached from the insertion unit 2. First, of the distal end hard portion 2a constituting the insertion portion 2, the distal end tubular portion 40 is held in a state of being connected to the most advanced angle ring 7 in the angle portion 2b by the fastening pin 8. Then, when assembling the endoscope insertion member, the distal end portion body 41 is detached from the distal end tubular portion 40. In this state, the illumination means 10, the observation means 20, and the treatment instrument guide means 30 are inserted from the proximal end side of the insertion portion 2, and the illumination lens barrel 13, the objective lens barrel 24, and the treatment instrument insertion pipe 32 are at the distal ends. Guide into the tube 40. Then, the positioning projection 44a provided on the outer surface of the illumination lens barrel 13 is provided in the locking hole 45a of the distal end tube portion 40, the positioning projection 44b provided on the outer surface of the objective lens barrel 24 is provided in the locking hole 45b, and Positioning protrusions 44 c provided on the outer surface of the treatment instrument insertion pipe 32 are respectively engaged with the engagement holes 45 c, and the spacers 43 a to 43 c are brought into contact with the inner surface of the distal end tubular portion 40. Here, since the positioning projections 44a to 44c are fitted into the locking holes 45a to 45c in a substantially close fitting state, the illumination lens barrel 13, the objective lens barrel 24, and the treatment instrument insertion pipe 32 are provided. Is held by the tip tube portion 40. That is, they are locked to the tip tube portion 40 by substantially the same action as the snap action action.
[0021]
The locking holes 45a to 45c of the distal end cylinder portion 40 are provided with their positions changed in the circumferential direction. In the present embodiment, these are formed at equal angles, that is, every 120 °, and the sizes of the locking holes 45a to 45c are the same. However, the arrangement relationship or size of these locking holes 45a to 45c may be changed. If the size of the locking holes 45a to 45c is changed and the size of the positioning projections 44a to 44c locked to them is also changed, the illumination lens barrel 13, the objective lens barrel 24, and the treatment instrument insertion pipe 32 can be mounted in a predetermined positional relationship. Also, the circumferential positional relationship between the locking holes 45a to 45c is not necessarily equal, and for example, the locking hole 45a of the illumination lens barrel 13 and the locking hole 45b of the objective lens barrel 24 are brought close to each other. You can also.
[0022]
The endoscope insertion member including the illumination lens barrel 13, the objective lens barrel 24, and the treatment instrument insertion pipe 32 protrudes from the distal end tubular portion 40 by a predetermined length. Therefore, the distal end portion body 41 is fitted from the distal end side of the distal end tubular portion 40. At this time, each endoscope insertion member described above is inserted into the through holes 42 a to 42 c provided in the distal end portion main body 41. Here, although there is a predetermined thickness from the through holes 42a to 42c to the outer peripheral surface of the tip body 41, the illumination lens barrel 13, the objective lens barrel 24, and the treatment instrument insertion pipe 32 have spacers 43a to 43c, respectively. Therefore, they are separated from the inner surface of the distal end cylinder portion 40 by the thickness of the spacers 43a to 43c, and the outer peripheral surface of the distal end portion main body 41 from the thickness of the spacers 43a to 43c and the through holes 42a to 42c. Until the predetermined thickness is matched, it is inserted into the through holes 42a to 42c of the tip body 41. In the present embodiment, the illumination lens barrel 13, the objective lens barrel 24, and the treatment instrument insertion pipe 32 are substantially the same as the through holes 42a to 42c of the distal end portion body 41 through which they are inserted. Although the dimensions are the same, the dimensional relationship is not necessarily the same. For example, the treatment instrument insertion pipe 32 and the through hole 42c through which the treatment instrument insertion pipe 32 is inserted can be made larger than the others.
[0023]
The annular protrusion 46 provided on the outer peripheral surface of the tip body 41 is inserted to a position where it contacts the tip tube portion 40. In this state, the outer skin layer 6 of the angle portion 2b is pulled out to the position of the concave portion 48 formed in the tip portion main body 41. Then, the tip body 41 is fixed in a state of being fitted to the tip tube portion 40 by filling the spool 49 and the adhesive 50. Accordingly, the endoscope insertion member including the illumination lens barrel 13, the objective lens barrel 24, and the treatment instrument insertion pipe 32 can be fixed to the distal end hard portion 2a without using a fixing means such as a set screw. . As a result, the diameter of the hard tip portion 2a is reduced.
[0024]
The inside of the insertion part 2 must be kept airtight. The distal end cylinder portion 40 is provided with locking holes 44a to 44c. The locking holes 44a to 44c are finally covered with the outer skin layer 6 to be in a closed state. The distal end main body 41 is inserted into the distal end cylindrical portion 40, and this inserted portion is also covered with the outer skin layer 6, and the adhesive 50 is interposed between the outer skin layer 6 and the distal end portion main body 41. Is filled. Therefore, by making the adhesive 50 exhibit a seal and covering the entire circumference completely, airtightness is ensured. Further, the distal end body 41 is provided with through holes 42a to 42c through which the illumination lens barrel 13, the objective lens barrel 24, and the treatment instrument insertion pipe 32 are inserted, but there is no bonding function therebetween. It can be sealed by filling with a sealing material. Here, by making the dimensional difference between the opening diameters of the through holes 42a to 42c and the outer diameters of the endoscope insertion members as small as possible, a completely airtight structure can be obtained simply by filling a small amount of sealing material. Can do.
[0025]
Moreover, the illumination means 10, the observation means 20, and the treatment instrument guide means 30 can be easily attached to and detached from the insertion portion 2. That is, in the recess 48 of the tip body 41, the adhesive 50 that fixes the tip of the outer skin layer 6 is peeled off, and the spool 49 is removed. As a result, the outer skin layer 6 is separated from the tip portion main body 41. If it does so, there will be nothing which regulates the tip part 40 of tip part main part 41 coming out to the tip side. Therefore, it can be detached from the distal end tube portion 40 by pulling out the distal end portion main body 41. And since the recessed part 48 of the front-end | tip part main body 41 protrudes from the front end surface of the front-end | tip cylinder part 40, it can pull out easily by hand. Further, in the illumination lens barrel 13, the objective lens barrel 24, and the treatment instrument insertion pipe 32, the positioning protrusions 44a to 44c provided on the illumination lens barrel 13 and the treatment instrument insertion pipe 32 are locked to the locking holes 45a to 45c of the distal end cylindrical portion 40. Therefore, when an external force is applied such as inserting a jig from the outer surface side of the locking holes 45 a to 45 c, the illumination lens barrel 13, the objective lens barrel 24, and the treatment instrument insertion pipe 32 are connected to the distal end cylindrical portion 40. And it is separated from the distal end hard portion 2 a formed of the distal end portion main body 41.
[0026]
Therefore, in this state, it is possible to easily perform work such as inspection and repair of each part constituting the illumination means 10, the observation means 20, or the treatment instrument guide means 30. Then, the reassembly after the work is completed may be performed as described above.
[0027]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, the present invention comprises a distal end hard portion comprising a distal end tube portion and at least a distal end portion main body having a through-hole through which an illumination lens barrel and an objective lens barrel are inserted, and an illumination lens barrel, Since the objective lens barrel is detachably locked to the tip tube part and the outer skin layer of the angle part is fixed to the tip part body, it is inserted without making the tip hard part of the insertion part particularly thick. Each member attached to the part can be easily attached and detached, and can be fixed to the hard tip part.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an external view of an endoscope.
FIG. 2 is a front view of a distal end portion of an insertion portion.
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of an illuminating means, an observing means, and a treatment instrument guide means constituting an endoscope insertion member.
FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a distal end configuration portion shown together with each endoscope insertion member.
5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG.
6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB in FIG.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Main body operation part 2 Insertion part 2a Tip hard part 2b Angle part 2c Soft part 10 Illumination means 11 Light guide 12 Illumination lens 13 Illumination lens barrel 20 Observation means 21 Objective optical system 22 Solid-state image sensor 24 Objective lens barrel 30 Treatment tool guide means 31 Treatment tool insertion channel 32 Treatment tool insertion pipe 40 Tip tube portion 41 Tip portion main bodies 42a to 42c Through holes 44a to 44c Positioning protrusions 45a to 45c Locking holes 46 Annular ridge 47 Flange portion 48 Recessed portion 49 Winding 50 Adhesive

Claims

At least illumination means and observation means are attached to the hard end connected to the angle part, and the illumination means is the illumination lens attached in the illumination lens barrel with the light guide exit end facing and observation. The means is at least an insertion portion of an endoscope configured by providing an objective optical system in the objective lens barrel.
The distal end hard part includes a distal end body formed with a through-hole through which an endoscope insertion member including at least the illumination lens barrel and the objective lens barrel is inserted, and the distal end body fits over a predetermined length. It is composed of a tip cylinder part to be joined,
Positioning protrusions are provided on the outer peripheral surfaces of the endoscope insertion members,
A locking hole for locking each positioning projection in a substantially tight fit is formed in the distal end cylindrical portion,
An annular flange and an annular ridge are provided on the outer peripheral surface of the tip body, and a recess is formed between the flange and the annular ridge,
An end surface of the tip tube portion is abutted against the annular ridge of the tip body, and the tip body is disposed on the tip side with respect to the tip tube portion from a position where each locking hole is formed,
An endoscope insertion portion, characterized in that the distal end of the outer skin layer of the angle portion extends into the recess of the tip body and is fixed within the recess .

The distal end hard portion is further provided with an outlet for the treatment instrument guide means as another endoscope insertion member, and the treatment instrument guide means is a treatment instrument insertion pipe into which the distal end portion of the treatment instrument insertion channel is fitted. The distal end main body is formed with three through-holes approximately every 120 °, and the distal end tubular portion is formed with three locking holes, and these endoscope insertion members The endoscope insertion portion according to claim 1, wherein a positioning protrusion is formed in each of the locking holes.

An arc-shaped spacer having a curvature that substantially matches the inner surface of the distal end cylindrical portion is provided on the outer peripheral surface of each endoscope insertion member, and the positioning projections protrude from the surfaces of these spacers. The endoscope insertion portion according to claim 1 , wherein the insertion portion is provided.

The endoscope insertion portion according to claim 3, wherein the distal end tubular portion is configured to be connected to a state-of-the-art ring constituting the angle portion with a fastening pin.

The endoscope insertion portion according to claim 1, wherein the endoscope insertion portion is configured to be fixed by winding a thread around an outer periphery of a distal end portion of the outer skin layer disposed in the concave portion and applying an adhesive.